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T H E C H U R C H O F J E S U S C H R I S T O F L A T T E R - D A Y S A I N T S ■ F E B R U A R Y 2 0 0 3

Bringing to Flower the Richness of theSpirit, p. 2

Seventeen-Day Journeyto the São Paulo Brazil Temple, p. 8

Liahona

T H E C H U R C H O F J E S U S C H R I S T O F L A T T E R - D A Y S A I N T S ■ F E B R U A R Y 2 0 0 3

F E A T U R E S2 First Presidency Message: Strengthening the Inner Self

President James E. Faust

12 Divine Love Elder Russell M. Nelson

25 Visiting Teaching Message: Prepare Every Needful Thing

26 Words of Jesus: ForgivenessElder Cecil O. Samuelson Jr.

30 The Parable of the Seed Growing SecretlyElder Wilfredo R. López

36 Gospel Classics: Three Parables—The Unwise Bee, the OwlExpress, and Two Lamps Elder James E. Talmage

42 Latter-day Saint VoicesA Special Witness of Jesus Christ

Irene Coimbra de Oliveira CláudioThere Was No Question Giuseppe MartinengoA Very Special Tablecloth Juan Aldo Leone

48 Using the February 2003 Liahona

E S P E C I A L LY F O R Y O U T H8 Birthday Temple Trip Kristen Winmill Southwick

18 Count on Maurice Laury Livsey

22 Questions and Answers: How Can I Help My Friends Understand the Law of Chastity?

33 Poster: Keep Yourself Free

34 Wake-Up Call Isaac Kofi Morrison

47 Did You Know?

T H E F R I E N D2 Come Listen to a Prophet’s Voice: We Bear Witness of Him

President Gordon B. Hinckley

4 Sharing Time: The Gospel Is Restored Vicki F. Matsumori

6 Pebble of Forgiveness Jane McBride Choate

9 Temple Cards

10 Trying to Be like Jesus: Helping MomVinny Ken Muramatsu de Oliveira

11 New Testament Stories: The First Sacrament; Other Teachings at the Last Supper

16 Song: I’ll Follow Him in Faith Janice Kapp Perry

ON THE COVERPhotographs by CraigDimond, Steve Bunderson,and Brian K. Kelly; posed bymodels. See “Strengtheningthe Inner Self,” p. 2.

THE FRIEND COVERPhotograph by SteveBunderson; posed by models.See “We Bear Witness ofHim,” p. 2.

Liahona

SEE P. 8

SEE P. 18

February 2003 Vol. 27 No. 2LIAHONA 23982Official international magazine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The First Presidency: Gordon B. Hinckley, Thomas S. Monson, James E. Faust

Quorum of the Twelve: Boyd K. Packer, L. Tom Perry,David B. Haight, Neal A. Maxwell, Russell M. Nelson,Dallin H. Oaks, M. Russell Ballard, Joseph B. Wirthlin,Richard G. Scott, Robert D. Hales, Jeffrey R. Holland,Henry B. Eyring

Editor: Dennis B. NeuenschwanderAdvisers: J. Kent Jolley, W. Rolfe Kerr, Stephen A. West

Curriculum Department Administrators:Managing Director: Ronald L. KnightonEditorial Director: Richard M. RomneyGraphics Director: Allan R. Loyborg

Editorial Staff:Managing Editor: Marvin K. GardnerAssistant Managing Editor: Jenifer L. GreenwoodAssociate Editor: Roger TerryAssistant Editor: Lisa Ann JacksonEditorial Associate: Susan BarrettPublications Assistant: Collette Nebeker Aune

Design Staff:Magazine Graphics Manager: M. M. KawasakiArt Director: Scott Van KampenSenior Designer: Sharri CookDesigners: Thomas S. Child, Randall J. PixtonProduction Manager: Jane Ann PetersProduction: Reginald J. Christensen, Denise Kirby, Kelli Pratt, Rolland F. Sparks, Kari A. Todd,Claudia E. WarnerDigital Prepress: Jeff Martin

Printing and Distribution:Printing Director: Kay W. BriggsDistribution Director (Subscriptions): Kris T Christensen

For subscriptions and prices outside the United States andCanada, contact your local Church distribution center orward or branch leader.

Send manuscripts and queries to Liahona, Floor 24, 50 East North Temple Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84150-3223, USA; or e-mail: [email protected]

The Liahona (a Book of Mormon term meaning “compass”or “director”) is published in Albanian, Armenian (East),Bulgarian, Cambodian, Cebuano, Chinese, Croatian,Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Fijian, Finnish,French, German, Haitian, Hiligaynon, Hungarian,Icelandic, Ilokano, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Kiribati,Korean, Latvian, Lithuanian, Malagasy, Marshallese,Mongolian, Norwegian, Pangasinan, Polish, Portuguese,Romanian, Russian, Samoan, Sinhala, Slovenian, Spanish,Swedish, Tagalog, Tahitian, Tamil, Telugu, Thai, Tongan,Ukrainian, Vietnamese, and Waray. (Frequency varies bylanguage.)

© 2003 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Printed in the United States of America.

For Readers in the United States and Canada:February 2003 Vol. 27 No. 2. LIAHONA (USPS 311-480)English (ISSN 1080-9554) is published monthly by TheChurch of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 50 East NorthTemple Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84150. USA subscriptionprice is $10.00 per year; Canada, $15.50 plus applicabletaxes. Periodicals Postage Paid at Salt Lake City, Utah, and at additional mailing offices. Sixty days’ notice required forchange of address. Include address label from a recent issue;old and new address must be included. Send USA andCanadian subscriptions to Salt Lake Distribution Center ataddress below. Subscription help line: 1-800-537-5971.Credit card orders (Visa, MasterCard, American Express) maybe taken by phone. (Canada Poste Information: PublicationAgreement #40017431)

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Salt LakeDistribution Center, Church Magazines, PO Box 26368,Salt Lake City, UT 84126-0368.

C O M M E N T

PALMYRA TEMPLE DEDICATION

I have been a reader of A Liahona

(Portuguese) for some time. I espe-

cially enjoy the messages of President

Gordon B. Hinckley.

In the September 2001 Liahona, I read

a short history of the Prophet Joseph

Smith’s family titled “Cradle of the

Restoration,” a very beautiful story. Most

touching of all was the excerpt of the

Palmyra New York Temple dedicatory

prayer. It was a simple prayer, but it was

so great that it left us with no question

about who inspired it. I had the privilege

of sharing it with my family and with the

full-time missionaries.

Messias Cassimiro Valente,

Rio Branco Ward,

Natal Brazil Stake

A SOURCE OF PEACE AND JOY

The Liahona (Spanish) is a source

of peace and joy. Through the inspired

words of our dear prophet and apostles,

I have received instruction, consolation,

guidance, hope, and much love. Some-

times the messages are especially for

me; other times they seem to be for

family members and others. The Spirit

teaches me what I should underline and

what I could share.

María Carmen Holgado Moratal,

Alcoy Branch,

Alcoy Spain District

“FIRST THINGS FIRST”

Each time I read the conference issue

of the Liahona (Spanish), I find talks that

strengthen me to meet my difficulties. I

really liked the talk “First Things First,”

by Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum

of the Twelve Apostles, in the July 2001

Liahona. I have tried to apply his words

to myself: “Do the best you can while on

earth to have an ideal family.”

I am the only Latter-day Saint in my

family. When Elder Scott said, “Let noth-

ing dissuade you from that objective” of

having an ideal family, I resolved to take

advantage of each opportunity to share

my testimony with my family.

Silvia Marisol Emérita García Bonito,

Los Planes Ward,

San Salvador El Salvador Stake

CONGRATULATIONS ON NAUVOO TEMPLE

Congratulations on the rebuilding of

the Nauvoo Illinois Temple. I’m not a

member of your church. I’m a priest in

the Community of Christ (formerly The

Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of

Latter Day Saints). I learned about the

temple in the Liahona (German), which

I have read for many years. I send you

my best wishes, and may Heavenly

Father be with you all.

Michael Schoepke,

Berlin, Germany

TThe basic program of

the Church is to bring

“to flower and fruitage

the latent richness

of the spirit,” to

strengthen the inner

self.

F I R S T P R E S I D E N C Y M E S S A G E

Strengthening the

Inner Self

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B Y P R E S I D E N T J A M E S E . F A U S TSecond Counselor in the First Presidency

he Apostle Paul’s wish for the

Ephesian Saints was that the Lord

would grant unto them “to be

strengthened with might by his Spirit in the

inner man” (Ephesians 3:16). In like manner,

the basic program of the Church today is to

strengthen the inner self. Our objective is

to have everyone feel the security, love,

and warm embrace of the gospel. The divine

Redeemer gave us the pattern for achieving

this when He commanded: “Thou shalt love

the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with

all thy soul, and with all thy mind. . . . Thou

shalt love thy neighbour as thyself ” (Matthew

22:37, 39).

We seek to build inner moral strength and

character in the members of the Church in

complete harmony with the following state-

ments of modern prophets and apostles:

“Our primary purpose [is to establish] . . .

independence, industry, thrift and self

respect.”1

Our “long term objective . . . is the

building of character in the members of the

Church, . . . rescuing all that is finest down

deep inside of them, and bringing to flower

and fruitage the latent richness of the spirit,

which after all is the mission and purpose

and reason for being of this Church.”2

Our Priorities

In order to build this inner strength, there

might need to be some reordering of priori-

ties in the planning and activities of the local

programs of the Church. We will accomplish

the Lord’s business better if our guiding stars

are revealed principles rather than specified

activities.

As we plan to reach, involve, and serve the

one, the principles to be kept before us on a

panoramic screen in heroic size are the two

great injunctions of the Savior to all of His

children: love and serve God and love and

serve our fellowmen. The planning must

begin by relating the activities to the spiritual

needs of the members, including providing

opportunities for members to be involved in

meaningful service and, by their choice, in

appropriate cultural, educational, recreational,

L IAHONA FEBRUARY 2003 3

4

An important part of the spiritual being within all of us

is the quiet and sacred part from which we may feel a

sanctification in our lives. It is that part of us wherein no

other soul may intrude. It is that part that permits us to

come close to the divine.

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and social activities approved by priesthood leaders. We

should bear in mind that the success of a given activity can-

not always be judged by its size. Rather, it must be judged

by its effect on the lives of those participating. There must

be a clear understanding that principles are more important

than programs and that people are more important than

organizations. We are trying to teach principles and guide-

lines more than to promote programs, as we seek to

strengthen the inner person with the Spirit of God.

Our Actions

Our effectiveness can be judged best by the way we

translate inner strength into action. What our religion

really is can best be judged by our lives. Thomas Carlyle

reminds us that “conviction . . . is worthless till it convert

itself into conduct.”3

For us to be strengthened by God, by

His Spirit, President Harold B. Lee (1899–1973) counseled

that membership in the Church “must mean more than

just being a ‘card carrying’ member of the Church with a

tithing receipt, a membership card, a temple recommend,

etc. It means to overcome the tendencies to criticize and

to strive continually to improve inward weaknesses and

not merely the outward appearances.”4

We recognize that many of the adult single members

of the Church may not have all the blessings they desire

at this time. They are, however, on equal footing with all

the Saints in their ability to keep the two great command-

ments and be abundantly blessed and strengthened

thereby. The quality of their spirituality and devotion to

the Master can be as fulfilling for them as for anyone. The

quality of their goodness toward others can likewise be as

meaningful and rewarding as the service given by anyone.

Certainly spiritual understanding and testimony are avail-

able to all who earnestly seek them.

T he Holy Spirit

speaks peace

to the soul,

and this spiritual

solace comes by

invoking spiritual

gifts. Christ is the

Great Physician who

rose from the dead

“with healing in his

wings,” and the

Comforter is the

agent of healing.

All Things Are Spiritual

The strengthening of the inner self must

come about as Saints are strengthened spiritu-

ally. The admonition to the Galatians was, “For

he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh

reap corruption; but he that soweth to the

Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting”

(Galatians 6:8). Problems will yield to a spiri-

tual solution, for the higher laws involve the

spiritual. The Lord said, “All things unto me are

spiritual, and not at any time have I given unto

you a law which was temporal” (D&C 29:34).

But invoking these higher laws and then put-

ting them into operation do not involve the

claiming of higher rights; rather they require

the performance of higher duties.Often we feel that we need help beyond

our own natural gifts and abilities in finding

our way in a complex, challenging, and diffi-

cult world. The prophet Alma made clear the

source of his understanding in many matters:

“They are made known unto me by the Holy

Spirit of God” (Alma 5:46). Many in this

world now walk the streets and byways in

fear of their lives, but if they had an inner

strength and security, there would be no

need for concern. The Savior said, “And fear

not them which kill the body, but are not

able to kill the soul” (Matthew 10:28).

Healing the Inner Self

The healing that we all so often need is the

healing of our souls and spirits. This can come

through a transfusion of the spiritual into our

lives. The seventh article of faith states that,

among other spiritual gifts, we believe in the

gift of healing. To me, this gift extends to the

healing of both the body and the spirit. The

Holy Spirit speaks peace to the soul, and this

spiritual solace comes by invoking spiritual

gifts, which are claimed and manifested in

many ways. They are rich, full, and abundant

in the Church today. They flow from the

humble and proper use of a testimony. Christ

is the Great Physician who rose from the dead

“with healing in his wings” (2 Nephi 25:13),

and the Comforter is the agent of healing.

If we are to further strengthen the inner

person, the inner self must be purged and

cleansed of transgression. Companionship

with evil causes our whole being to die spiri-

tually. The spiritual tap in our lives will not

turn on until all transgressions, particularly

those involving moral turpitude, are purged.

I refer not only to sexual sins but also to all

forms of wrongdoing, including lying, cheat-

ing, stealing, and consciously or recklessly

inflicting injury upon others.

Our Spiritual Feelings

An important part of the spiritual being

within all of us is the quiet and sacred part

from which we may feel a sanctification in our

lives. It is that part of us wherein no other

soul may intrude. It is that part that permits

us to come close to the divine, both in and

out of this world. This portion of our beings is

reserved only for ourselves and our Creator.

We open the portals thereof when we pray. It

is here where we may retreat and meditate. It

is possible for the Holy Ghost to abide in this

special part of us. It is a place of special com-

munion. It is the master cell of our spiritual

battery. But this great energizer becomes dead

when we allow sin to creep stealthily into our

lives. The Romans were reminded, “For to be

carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually

minded is life and peace” (Romans 8:6).

As we undertake to strengthen the inner

soul, we move beyond concern for things that


6

May we be

strengthened

in our inner

selves with might

by His Spirit, for

spirituality is like

sunlight: it passes

into the unclean and

is not tainted.

we can hold and possess. A wise man said,

“The wealth of a soul is measured by how

much it can feel; its poverty, by how little.”5

The Eternal Inner Self

The inner soul, with all that it has stored

within it, is what continues beyond this life.

A thoughtful author reminds us, “Everything

here, but the soul of man, is a passing shadow.

The only enduring substance is within.”6

We are comforted by the knowledge that

those who strengthen their inner selves shall

see the face of God. The Lord Himself said,

“It shall come to pass that every soul who

forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me, and

calleth on my name, and obeyeth my voice,

and keepeth my commandments, shall see

my face and know that I am” (D&C 93:1).

Edna St. Vincent Millay reminds us,

The soul can split the sky in two,And let the face of God shine through.

7

For the inner self to be strengthened, a

great humility must come into the inner

being. Gideon said of himself, “My family is

poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my

father’s house” (Judges 6:15). Gideon went

on to become the hero who delivered Israel

from oppression by the Midianites.

The Old Testament says, “Now the man

Moses was very meek, above all the men

which were upon the face of the earth”

(Numbers 12:3). Moses was one of the great-

est prophets who ever lived and was the

author of five books in the Old Testament.

Spiritual Sunlight

In my own search for inner strength,

I express my respect, appreciation, and

gratitude for the example of the First Presi-

dency, other General Authorities, and a host

of other good men and women of this Church

throughout the world who stand steadfastly

against the ill winds that blow and the forces

of insecurity, doubt, and destruction all about

us. They, through the Spirit of God, recognize

the falsity of the dulcet voices and the siren

songs of deceit among us that advocate instant

gratification, offering no lasting relationships

in life and teaching that there is little responsi-

bility for wrongdoing. With steadfast hands

and holy hearts, these stalwart souls stand as

trumpeters upon the watchtowers of righ-

teousness, hope, and inner peace.

The oppressive fog that beclouds the tortu-

ous lanes and passages of your lives will dis-

appear in the spiritual sunlight that comes

only from God. This spiritual sunlight will not

shine unless we diligently and humbly seek to

enjoy His Spirit, for “the Lord requireth the

heart and a willing mind” (D&C 64:34).

The Spirit of the Lord can ever be with us,

even in the overheated ovens of life into

which we may be cast, so that those who

behold us will always see that we have a holy

companion. Nebuchadnezzar experienced this

when he looked into the fiery furnace and

noted: “Did not we cast three men bound into

the midst of the fire? . . . Lo, I see four men

loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and

they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth

is like the Son of God” (Daniel 3:24–25).

May there be found in our thoughts and

actions the manifestation of an inward, spiri-

tual peace and strength. May we have an

absolute faith that all things are possible to

God and hold in our remembrance that

through our obedience all things may be

made known to us by His Holy Spirit. “He

The oppressive fog that beclouds the tortuous lanes and

passages of your lives will disappear in the spiritual sunlight

that comes only from God. This spiritual sunlight will not shine

unless we diligently and humbly seek to enjoy His Spirit.

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that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life ever-

lasting” (Galatians 6:8).

And in sowing to our spirits, may we be strengthened

in our inner selves with might by His Spirit, for spirituality

is like sunlight: it passes into the unclean and is not

tainted. May our lives be such that the spiritual within

us may ascend up through the common, the sordid,

and the evil and sanctify our souls. ■

NOTES1.Heber J. Grant, in Conference Report, Oct. 1936, 3.2.Albert E. Bowen, The Church Welfare Plan (Gospel Doctrine course

of study, 1946), 44.3.In Martin H. Manser, comp., The Westminster Collection of Christian

Quotations (2001), 2.4.Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Harold B. Lee (2000), 41.5.William Rounseville Alger.6.W. E. Channing.7.“Renascence,” Renascence and Other Poems (1917), 14.

I D E A S F O R H O M E T E A C H E R S

After you prayerfully prepare, share this message using

a method that encourages the participation of those you

teach. A few examples follow:

1. Ask family members what a person can do to

strengthen his or her physical body, such as exercising, eat-

ing a proper diet, and getting sufficient rest. Then have them

identify ideas in President Faust’s message for building

inner moral strength. Share your testimony of how some of

these ideas have helped you withstand insecurity, doubt,

and temptation.

2. Show family members a battery and review how a

battery works. How is our spirituality like a battery? Read

the section “Our Spiritual Feelings,” and discuss ways we

can recharge our spiritual batteries.

3. Invite family members to discuss the benefits we

receive from the sun. Read with them the section “Spiritual

Sunlight.” Discuss ways spirituality is like sunlight and sin

is like an oppressive fog. What are some ways President

Faust said we can increase spiritual sunlight in our lives?


TEMPLETRIP

Fifteenth birthdays are a

big deal to young women

in Brazil. And Priscila

Vital’s celebration was

even more special than

a traditional party or

dance—she was able

to travel by boat and bus

to the temple.

TEMPLETRIPB Y K R I S T E N W I N M I L L S O U T H W I C K

B i r t h d a y

OO ver the years, Brazil has become

famous for its skilled soccer teams,

white beaches, and tropical climate.

But the force behind this pulsating, vibrant culture

is perhaps its greatest resource: its warm, fun-

loving people. Having a good time and being

with friends and family are the central compo-

nents of most activities. And among the most

important and anticipated days in any Brazilian

young woman’s life is her 15th birthday cele-

bration. Families sometimes save money for

years to put on an extravagant night of din-

ing, dancing, and gift-giving for this coming-

of-age celebration.

Priscila Vital, a member of the Rio Negro stake in

Manaus, Brazil, had to make a difficult choice about how to

celebrate her 15th birthday. Priscila’s birthday would come

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF THE VITAL FAMILY, EXCEPT AS NOTED

while her mother, Francilene, was in the middle of a

17-day stake caravan trip to the São Paulo Brazil Temple.

Francilene had saved money for three years to go to the

temple for the first time, and she had enough money to

either take Priscila with her or throw a traditional 15th

birthday party upon her return. Priscila’s decision was fur-

ther complicated because most of the relatives in her tight-

knit family were members of other churches and had been

eagerly anticipating her birthday for several years. They did

not understand the importance of going to the temple.

“All of my aunts and uncles wanted me to stay and have

the birthday party, especially because I’m the only girl in

my family,” says Priscila. “When I decided to go to the

temple, it was a good opportunity for me to show them

just how important this was to me.”

Priscila’s family joined the Church in 1991 but became

less active shortly after their baptisms. In early 1998


Faithful Church

members from Manaus

(above, far right) travel

a great distance by

boat and bus to São

Paulo (above) every

year. Priscila was able

to do baptisms for the

dead at the temple,

and she hopes to

someday return there

with her entire family

(right).

10

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Priscila’s friend

began investigating

the Church and

asked Priscila to

come with her to seminary.

“I had gone to another church, but I could

never understand what they were teaching.

In seminary everything made sense, and I

could understand the gospel. Eventually, the

Spirit testified to me that Joseph Smith was

a prophet of God. When I learned he was a

prophet it was so good and so sweet that I

cried,” Priscila says.

Priscila’s mother, Francilene, enjoyed wel-

coming the ward’s young women into their

home. She encouraged Priscila’s attendance

at Church activities, and she soon began

attending regularly herself. Francilene is now

serving as her ward’s Relief Society president.

Witness of Increasing Faith

Priscila’s conversion to the gospel is one

of the many miracles taking place in Manaus.

The busy port city of 1.5 million people is

the industrial and commercial center of the

Amazon Basin. The first Latter-day Saint mis-

sionaries arrived in the jungle city 23 years

ago. Since then, the Church in Manaus has

grown to five stakes, one mission, and

14,000 members.

As a witness of the increasing faith of

Manaus’s members, each year between 150 to

200 members in Manaus go on a multistake

caravan to the temple in São Paulo, the most

accessible temple in Brazil. Because of the

dense forest that surrounds the city, the only

way to travel from Manaus to São Paulo is by

boat or plane. Plane tickets are very expen-

sive, so eight years ago the stake presidencies

in the city arranged a yearly temple caravan

by chartering a boat and buses for those

desiring to go to the temple. By sharing the

costs, the members have enough money to

travel to the temple with their families.

The caravan begins by traveling for four

days by boat to Porto Velho, a Brazilian city

near the border with Peru and Bolivia. From

there, members board chartered buses to take

them an additional three days and nights to

São Paulo, where they stay in Church-owned

apartments next to the São Paulo Brazil

Temple. For four days they do temple work,

then make the reverse journey homeward.

Priscila prepared for her temple trip by

studying general conference talks about the

temple with her mother, reading Church

magazines, and studying the scriptures. She

also gathered the names of four generations

on her father’s side of the family so she

could perform vicarious baptisms for them.

Priscila’s mom compiled the family history information for

four generations of her side of the family.

Once the 185 members departed Manaus by boat, Priscila

and the five other young women in the caravan helped tend

the Primary-age children and fixed meals. At night they slept

in hammocks on the boat deck to try to stay cool in the hot

jungle temperatures.

“Being on the caravan was so spiritual because everyone

was so excited and anxious to go to the temple,” Priscila

comments. “Most people had never been to the temple, so

almost no one knew exactly what to expect. Everyone sang

songs and read scriptures together. We were so united.”

The bus ride was the most diffi-

cult part of the journey because

the buses traveled both day and

night for three days, and the

members were unable to move

around much. As a result, many

of the members had severe pain

and swelling in their legs.

Finally There

When they arrived at the temple, Priscila immedi-

ately went to the baptistry to do baptisms for the dead,

while her mother went to a different part of the temple

to receive her endowment. Priscila spent every day in

São Paulo in the temple, even though it was the first time

she had been to the large metropolis.

“I spent my 15th birthday in the temple. When the

baptismal font coordinator discovered it was my birthday,

he told me he had a present for me,” Priscila explains.

“So many people come to the temple that most patrons

can do the baptisms for only five people. He gave me a

large stack of names of people who needed their bap-

tismal work done for them. He couldn’t have given me

a better present.”

Priscila’s mother comments about other changes that

happened in Priscila’s life: “The caravan spiritually influ-

enced her. She was a light for all of the other members.

Everyone came back different. On the bus ride home, we

felt that our appearances and faces had changed; we were

all so happy.”

Priscila’s example and willingness to

share the gospel helped many of her

family members and friends join the

Church. One of them, her aunt, recently

returned from serving in the Brazil Recife

Mission. Now Priscila is encouraging her

father and two brothers to prepare to go

to the temple so they can be sealed as a

family—something she hopes will happen soon.

For Priscila, giving up her 15th birthday celebration

was no sacrifice. “When it was time to come home, I

didn’t want to leave,” Priscila remarks. “All I want to do

is save money so I can go back to the temple as quickly

as possible.” ■

Kristen Winmill Southwick is a member of the Weston Second Ward,Boston Massachusetts Stake.


A t the Savior’s

invitation to

follow Him,

Peter and Andrew

obediently left their

nets, receiving great

blessings as a

result. Likewise,

when we respond in

humble obedience

to His commands,

we are blessed.

B Y E L D E R R U S S E L L M . N E L S O NOf the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

FISH

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OF

MEN

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FIN

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Divine

12

In today’s world trembling with terror and

hatred, our knowledge of divine love is of

utmost importance. We bear responsibility

to understand and testify that Heavenly Father

and Jesus the Christ are glorified, living, and

loving personages. “For God so loved the

world, that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him should not

perish, but have everlasting life.”1 Jesus “so

loved the world that he gave his own life,

that as many as would believe might become

the sons of God.”2 Indeed, the Father and the

Son are one—in purpose and love.3

Divine Love Is Perfect and Infinite

Their love is divine by definition. Scriptures

also describe it as perfect.4 It is infinite because

the Atonement was an act of love for all who

ever lived, who now live, and who will ever live.5

It is also infinite because it transcends time.

Divine Love Is Enduring

Divine love is enduring:6 “The Lord . . .

keepeth covenant and mercy with them that

love him and keep his commandments to a

thousand generations.”7

Divine Love Is Universal

Divine love is universal.8 God “maketh his

sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and

sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”9

Jesus is the light of the world,10 giving life and

law to all things.11 “He inviteth . . . all to come

unto him . . . ; and he denieth none that come

unto him, black and white, bond and free,

male and female.”12 And all are invited to pray

unto our Father in Heaven.13

Divine Love Is Also Conditional

While divine love can be

called perfect, infinite,

enduring, and universal,

it cannot correctly be

characterized as

unconditional.

While divine love can be called

perfect, infinite, enduring, and

universal, it cannot correctly be

characterized as unconditional.Love

L I A H O N A F E B R U A R Y 2 0 0 3 13

A t the Last

Judgment,

the Savior

will judge us

according to our

obedience during

mortality. Our

thoughts and

actions will deter-

mine whether we

The word does not appear in the scriptures. On the other

hand, many verses affirm that the higher levels of love the

Father and the Son feel for each of us—and certain divine

blessings stemming from that love—are conditional.Before citing examples, it is well to recognize various

forms of conditional expression in the scriptures.

Conditional Forms

Several forms of conditional expression may be found

in the scriptures:

• “If . . . [certain conditions exist], then . . . [certain conse-

quences follow].” (The indicators if and then may be

written or implied.)

• “Inasmuch as . . . [certain conditions exist], . . . [certain

consequences follow].”14

• “Except . . . cannot . . .”15

• “Prove . . . , if . . .” For example,

a verse pertaining to our cre-

ation reveals a prime purpose

for our sojourn here in mortal-

ity: “We will prove them here-

with, to see if they will do all

things whatsoever the Lord their

God shall command them.”16

Life here is a period of mortal

merit heavenly

approbation.

probation. Our thoughts and actions determine whether

our mortal probation can merit heavenly approbation.17

The Conditional Nature of Divine Love

With scriptural patterns of conditional statements in

mind, we note many verses that declare the conditional

nature of divine love for us. Examples include:

• “If ye keep my commandments, [then] ye shall abide

in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s command-

ments, and abide in his love.”18

• “If you keep not my commandments, [then] the love

of the Father shall not continue with you.”19

• “If a man love me, [then] he will keep my words: and

my Father will love him.”20

• “I love them that love me; and those that seek me . . .

shall find me.”21

• “God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation

he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is

accepted with him.”22

• The Lord “loveth those who will have him to be their

God.”23

• “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them,

he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be

loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will mani-

fest myself to him.”24

WHAT DOESCONDITIONALMEAN?

The term conditionalcomes from Latinroots—con, meaning

The Conditional Nature of Divine Blessings

It is equally evident that certain blessings come from a

loving Lord only if required conditions are met. Examples

include:

• “If thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and

my commandments, . . . then I will lengthen thy days.”25

• “If thou wilt walk in my statutes, and execute my judg-

ments, and keep all my commandments . . . ; then will

I perform my word with thee.”26

• “I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but

when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise.”27

• “When we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedi-

ence to that law upon which it is predicated.”28

• “Unto every kingdom is given a law; and unto every law

there are certain bounds also and conditions.”29

The Lord declares: “All who will have a blessing at my

hands shall abide the law which was appointed for that

blessing, and the conditions thereof. . . .

“And as pertaining to the new and everlasting covenant,

it was instituted for the fulness of my glory; and he that

receiveth a fulness thereof must and shall abide the law, or

he shall be damned, saith the Lord God.

“. . . The conditions of this law are these: All covenants,

contracts, bonds, obligations, oaths, vows, performances,

connections, associations, or expectations, that are not

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made and entered into and sealed

. . . of him who is anointed, . . .

are of no efficacy, virtue, or force

in and after the resurrection from

the dead.”30

Other laws are designed to

bless us here in mortality. One

such law is tithing: “Bring ye all

the tithes into the storehouse,

. . . and prove me now herewith,

saith the Lord . . . , if I will not

open you the windows of

heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not

be room enough to receive it.”31 Such a blessing is condi-tional. Those who fail to tithe have no promise.32

Again, “all that he requires of you is to keep his com-

mandments; and he has promised . . . that if ye would

keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land;

and he never doth vary from that which he hath said;

therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless

you and prosper you.”33

Why is divine love conditional? Because God loves us

and wants us to be happy. “Happiness is the object and

design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we

pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue,

uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the

commandments of God.”34

Our Defense against False Ideologies

Understanding that divine love and blessings are not

truly “unconditional” can defend us against common

fallacies such as these: “Since God’s love is unconditional,

He will love me regardless . . .”; or “Since ‘God is love,’35

He will love me unconditionally, regardless . . .”

These arguments are used by anti-Christs to woo people

with deception. Nehor, for example, promoted himself by

teaching falsehoods: He “testified unto the people that all

mankind should be saved at the last day, . . . for the Lord

had created all men, . . . and, in the end, all men shouldhave eternal life.”36 Sadly, some of the people believed

“with,” and dicere,meaning “to talk.” Thus,conditional means that“bounds or conditionshave been communi-cated verbally.”

The term uncondi-tional means “withoutcondition or limitation;absolute.”


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Our children

are to be

taught that

they receive the

Nehor’s fallacious and uncondi-

tional concepts.

In contrast to Nehor’s teach-

ings, divine love warns us that

“wickedness never was happi-

ness.”37 Jesus explains, “Come

unto me and be ye saved; . . .

except ye shall keep my commandments, . . . ye shall in

no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.”38

Divine Love and the Sinner

Does this mean the Lord does not love the sinner?

Of course not. Divine love is infinite and universal. The

Savior loves both saints and sinners. The Apostle John

affirmed, “We love him, because he first loved us.”39 And

Nephi, upon seeing in vision the Lord’s mortal ministry,

declared: “The world, because of their iniquity, shall judge

him to be a thing of naught; wherefore they scourge him,

and he suffereth it; and they smite him, and he suffereth

it. Yea, they spit upon him, and he suffereth it, because

of his loving kindness and his long-suffering towards the

children of men.”40 We know the expansiveness of the

Redeemer’s love because He died that all who die might

live again.41

blessings of God’s

love by first obeying

His commandments.

6

Immortality and Eternal Life

God declared that His work and glory is

“to bring to pass the immortality and eternal

life of man.”42 Thanks to the Atonement, the

gift of immortality is unconditional.43 The

greater gift of eternal life, however, is condi-tional.44 In order to qualify, one must deny

oneself of ungodliness45 and honor the

ordinances and covenants of the temple.46

The resplendent bouquet of God’s love—

including eternal life—includes blessings for which we

must qualify, not entitlements to be expected unworthily.

Sinners cannot bend His will to theirs and require Him

to bless them in sin.47 If they desire to enjoy every bloom

in His beautiful bouquet, they must repent.48

Counsel to Repent

President Brigham Young (1801–77) declared: “Every

blessing the Lord proffers to his people is on conditions.

These conditions are: ‘Obey my law, keep my command-

ments, walk in my ordinances, observe my statutes, love

mercy, . . . keep yourselves pure in the law, and then you

are entitled to these blessings, and not until then.’ ”49

President Joseph F. Smith (1838–1918) expressed a

similar thought: “This is how I look at the requirements

which God has made upon his people collectively and

individually, and I do believe that I have no claim upon

God or upon my brethren for blessing, favor, confidence

or love, unless, by my works, I prove that I am worthy

thereof, and I never expect to receive blessings that I do

not merit.”50

President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985) said that

the Lord “ ‘cannot look upon sin with the least degree of

allowance.’ (D&C 1:31.) . . . We will better appreciate his

love . . . if similar abhorrence for sin impels us to trans-

form our lives through repentance.”51

Given the imperfections we all have, individual initia-

tive is imperative: “He that repents and does the com-

mandments of the Lord shall be forgiven;

“And he that repents not, from him shall be taken even

the light which he has received; for my Spirit shall not

always strive with man, saith the Lord.”52

In climbing the pathway of repentance, both the effort

and the result count. The Lord taught that spiritual gifts

are given to “those who love me and keep all my com-

mandments, and [who] seeketh so to do.”53

Divine Love Provides Us with a Pattern

Jesus asked us to love one another as He has loved

us.54 Is that possible? Can our love for others really

approach divine love? Yes it can!55 The pure love of Christ

is granted to all who seek and qualify for it.56 Such love

includes service57 and requires obedience.58

Compliance with divine law requires faith—the pivotal

point of mortality’s testing and trials. At the same time,

faith proves our love for God.59 The more committed

NOTES1.John 3:16.2.D&C 34:3.3.See 2 Nephi 31:21; Alma

12:33; D&C 93:3.4.See 1 John 4:12, 15–18.5.See Alma 34:9–12. Divine love

is infinite also because all thefaithful may be eventually“encircled about with thematchless bounty of his love”(Alma 26:15).

6.See Isaiah 54:10; see also 3 Nephi 22:10.

7.Deuteronomy 7:9; see also 1 Chronicles 16:15; Psalm105:8.

8.Defined as “of, relating to,extending to, or affecting the entire world or all withinthe world; worldwide” (TheAmerican HeritageDictionary, 4th ed. [2000],“universal,” 1883).

9.Matthew 5:45; see also 3 Nephi 12:45.

10.See John 8:12; 9:5.11.See D&C 88:6–13.12.2 Nephi 26:33.13.See Matthew 6:6; see also

3 Nephi 13:6; Moroni 7:48.14.For examples, see 1 Nephi

2:20; 4:14; 2 Nephi 1:9, 20;4:4; Jarom 1:9; Omni 1:6; Alma 9:13; 36:1, 30; 38:1;50:20; Helaman 4:15.

15.Examples are: “Except a man be born of water and of the

Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John3:5; emphasis added), and“Except ye abide my law yecannot attain to this glory”(D&C 132:21; emphasisadded). See also Ether 12:34;D&C 25:15; 132:21.

16.Abraham 3:25; emphasisadded; see also Malachi 3:10; 3 Nephi 24:10.

17.See Matthew 25:21, 23.18. John 15:10; emphasis added.19.D&C 95:12; emphasis added.20. John 14:23; emphasis added.21.Proverbs 8:17.22.Acts 10:34–35.23.1 Nephi 17:40.24. John 14:21.25.1 Kings 3:14; emphasis added;

see also Deuteronomy 19:9.26.1 Kings 6:12; emphasis added.27.D&C 82:10.28.D&C 130:21.29.D&C 88:38; see also 132:5.30.D&C 132:5–7; see also Alma

9:12; 42:13, 17.31.Malachi 3:10; emphasis added;

see also 3 Nephi 24:10. TheLord did not restrict how Hewould bless tithe payers. Someare blessed spiritually morethan they are temporally.

32.See D&C 119:4–5. Tithing isalso required for one to beenrolled with the people ofGod (see D&C 85:3).

33.Mosiah 2:22; emphasis added.

we become to patterning our lives after His, the purer

and more divine our love becomes.60

Perhaps no love in mortality approaches the divine more

than the love parents have for their children. As parents,

we have the same obligation to teach obedience that our

heavenly parents felt obliged to teach us. While we can

teach the need for tolerance of others’ differences,61 we

cannot tolerate their infractions of the laws of God. Our

children are to be taught the doctrines of the kingdom,62

to trust in the Lord, and to know that they receive the

blessings of His love by first obeying His commandments.63

Divine love is perfect, infinite, enduring, and universal.

The full flower of divine love and our greatest blessings

from that love are conditional—predicated upon our

obedience to eternal law. I pray that we may qualify for

those blessings and rejoice forever. ■


That conditional counsel isrepeated many times through-out the scriptures. See 1 Nephi2:20; 4:14; 2 Nephi 1:9, 20;4:4; Jacob 2:17–19; Jarom 1:9;Omni 1:6; Mosiah 1:7; 2:31;Alma 9:13; 36:1, 30; 37:13;38:1; 48:15, 25; 50:20;Helaman 3:20.

34. Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel.Joseph Fielding Smith (1976),255–56; emphasis added.

35.1 John 4:8, 16.36.Alma 1:4; emphasis added;

see also 1:3, 5–6; 2 Nephi28:8–9. Such an unconditionalconcept (eternal life for all)would negate the need forordinances, covenants, andtemple work.

37.Alma 41:10.38.3 Nephi 12:20; emphasis

added.39.1 John 4:19.40.1 Nephi 19:9; emphasis added.41.See Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians

5:14–15; see also 1 Corinthians15:22.

42.Moses 1:39.43.See Acts 24:15; 1 Corinthians

15:22; Alma 12:8; D&C 76:17;Joseph Smith Translation, John 5:29.

44.See D&C 14:7.45. See Moroni 10:32; Joseph

Smith Translation, Matthew16:26.

46.See D&C 132:19.47.See Alma 11:37.48.The Lord said, “Thou art not

excusable in thy transgres-sions; . . . go thy way and sinno more” (D&C 24:2). Seealso John 8:11; D&C 6:35;29:3; 82:7; 97:27.

49.Discourses of Brigham Young, sel. John A. Widtsoe(1954), 454.

50.Deseret News, 12 Nov. 1873,644.

51.The Miracle of Forgiveness(1969), 59.

52.D&C 1:32–33.53.D&C 46:9; emphasis added.54.See John 13:34; 15:12.55.See Ether 12:33–34; Moroni

7:46–47.56.See Moroni 7:48.57.See Galatians 5:13; Mosiah

2:18–21; 4:15.58. John taught, “Whoso keepeth

his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected” (1 John 2:5).

59.See Deuteronomy 13:3; John14:15; 15:6–7.

60.See Matthew 6:19–22; D&C88:67–68; 93:11–20.

61.See Articles of Faith 1:11.62.Doctrines include the plan of

salvation, faith, repentance,baptism, and the gift of theHoly Ghost (see Moroni 8:10;D&C 68:25; Moses 6:57–62).

63.See Mosiah 4:6–7.

18

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Maurice

Navarro is

a busy guy.

But not so busy

that he can’t find

time to tutor other

students and

volunteer at two

local hospitals.

B Y L A U R Y L I V S E Y

The sophomore math whiz sat in the

classroom after school waiting for the

football star to come in for his weekly

tutoring session. The guy who enjoys

algebra, calculus, and trigonometry spent

an extra hour or so each week teaching

polynomial expressions and practicing

exponential equations with the football hero,

someone many called the best high school

running back in the United States. Winning

a football game he could do. But algebra?

It was something of a challenge. That’s when

the tutor came to the rescue.

When the school year ended, so did the

tutoring sessions. The tutor had his junior

year to look forward to while the tutor’s

student graduated and accepted an athletic

scholarship to the University of Miami.

That’s why the math whiz says, “Someday

when he’s a famous football player, I can tell

my kids I taught him math.”

Now two years later, Maurice Navarro is

once again sitting in a classroom at

Coral Gables Senior High near Miami,

Florida. School ended 30 minutes ago, but

just like in years before, several students

have gathered around Maurice as he teaches

a math concept his fellow students aren’t

quite understanding.

That’s Maurice Navarro. Still the math

tutor. Still helping others.

A Busy Guy

“That comes from my mother,” Maurice

says of his service. “She taught me that if I’m

able to help others, it’s very important that I

do. It’s difficult for some of the kids to grasp

math, so that’s why I tutor. Since math does

come pretty easily to me, I’m glad to help.”

The same must be true of his volunteer

work at two area medical centers. Each Friday

and Saturday, Maurice donates about nine

hours doing numerous jobs at both hospitals.

“I work with patients, moving them in


2

For his Eagle Scout

project, Maurice

invited parents

to attend an open house

where they could fingerprint

their children. Once or

twice a week, he also tutors

fellow students on the finer

points of math.

wheelchairs or in their beds through

the hospital,” he says. “When I’m

there, I get to see the smiles on

the people’s faces when they see

someone doing something nice for

them. I love meeting the patients,

seeing their faces, and seeing their

reactions.

“It’s that way with tutoring,” he

continues. “When I hear somebody

say, ‘I got it!’ about a concept I’m

teaching, I feel I’ve done my job. And

it’s the same in the hospital with the

patients, only with smiles.”

An Example

In the Fountainebleau (Spanish)

Ward, Miami Florida (Spanish) Stake,

Maurice is the first assistant to the

bishop in the priests quorum. Not

long ago, he was a young deacon

looking up to the priests who were

preparing to leave on missions. Now

it’s Maurice’s turn to lead. “Since I’m

the oldest one in Young Men, I hope

the deacons and teachers look at

me as an example in the same way I

looked to the older boys when I was

that age,” he says.

0

Tangible evidence of Maurice’s

example to other Aaronic Priesthood

holders in his ward is the Eagle Scout

project he completed last year.

Maurice organized a child identifica-

tion day and invited people in his

community to bring their children to

the ward building on a Saturday so

the children could be fingerprinted

and videotaped. After police gave a

presentation on ways to protect

children, the parents in attendance

took the fingerprint cards and

the videotapes home. Now, if this

information is ever needed to identify

and find a lost child, it will be at the

parents’ fingertips.

Maurice spent numerous hours

coordinating this project, which

attracted close to 100 children. As a

bonus, he also asked people who

came to bring one or two cans of

food to donate to a food bank. He

eventually filled three big boxes with

canned goods.

“What I enjoyed about that project

is that it was different,” Maurice says.

“I really wanted to make a difference.

9
6+

7

49

I hope people never have to use

their video or the fingerprint cards.

I don’t want it ever to come to that

point. But those things are a good

safety net.”

A Family Tradition

Maurice is 18 years old and will

turn 19 in November. After graduat-

ing from high school, he will get his

chance to perform some serious,

long-term service.

He’s received plenty of peculiar

looks from classmates as he talks

about the Church’s missionary pro-

gram. When it comes to Church

subjects—confusion over what mis-

sions are or questions about the

Word of Wisdom—Maurice is the one

students turn to. At Coral Gables

Senior High, Maurice is the only

Latter-day Saint.

“People at school ask me about

missions all the time, and I’m glad to

explain. For many of them, it’s hard

to comprehend that I would want to

do this. They’re amazed when I tell

them we go for two years and that

nobody’s making us go. I’m definitely

going on a mission.

“My dad was baptized when he

was in his 20s, so he never went on

a mission,” he adds. “The only per-

son in my family who has gone on a

mission is my uncle. So I see my

mission as starting a tradition in

our family.”

Lots of Small Parts

Throughout his life, Maurice has

played a small part in the lives of a lot

of people. Coral Gables students who

have been tutored by Maurice are

passing math tests, and Maurice can

feel that he has contributed to their

successes. Parents have recorded

information about their children on

file—just in case. They can thank

Maurice for that. And there he is,

wheeling a patient from one room to

another at the hospital. No big deal?

Perhaps. But it’s another small thing

Maurice finds time to do.

Maybe it won’t be exactly how

Maurice envisioned it after all. One

day in the future, the football star

just might turn to his children and

talk about a guy he knew in high

school. “Kids,” he will say, “Maurice

is the guy who taught me math.” ■


Questions&AnswersMy friends have a hard time understanding why I live the law of chastity. What canI say that will help them understand the Lord’s teachings about this sensitive topic?Answers are intended for help and perspective, not as pronouncements of Church doctrine.

22

How Can I Help My Friends Understand the Law of Chastity?

LIAHONA’S ANSWERNot long ago, people in many

cultures would not have questioned

your decision to live a chaste life. But

societal beliefs have changed so dra-

matically in recent years that chastity

before marriage and fidelity after

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marriage might seem incomprehensi-

ble to some. Add to that the fact that

chastity is a sacred, private matter,

and you may feel you are facing a dif-

ficult discussion.

But don’t let societal pressure or

fear prevent you from discussing this

important topic with your friends. It

is possible that your ideas might be

just what they are looking for. Per-

haps you can help them understand

that to be chaste is the best choice

because it is a commandment

from God and—rather than being

restrictive—it offers tremendous

freedom, peace, and safety.

If you seek His guidance, the Lord

will help you find a way to appropri-

ately share your reasons for living the

law of chastity. The exact words you

say will depend on the type of rela-

tionship you have with your friends

and the situation you are in. A short

answer such as “A chaste life makes

me happy; I know it’s the way God

wants us to live” will probably suffice

in some circumstances. But if you are

talking with a good friend, you might

want to share some insights on sexual

purity found in the pamphlet For theStrength of Youth.

Following are some other key

points you may want to discuss:

• Chastity puts your focus where

it should be. Friendship, respect,

understanding, communication,

trust, shared interests, and gospel

values are the foundation for a solid

relationship. Putting these things

first allows you to get to know each

other in an appropriate and com-

fortable way.

• Living the law of chastity allows

you greater confidence and self-

respect. Being unchaste often opens

the door to relationships in which

your physical self is valued above all

the other good qualities you possess.

Chastity allows others to value your

personality, abilities, kindness, and

goodness.

• Chastity keeps you safe. Not only

are you certain to remain free from

many physical diseases, but your

spiritual health is protected as well.

• Chastity is a commandment (see

Galatians 5:16–17, 19–21). Obedience

to the commandments brings happi-

ness, peace, and many other benefits.

• Living a chaste life shows your

respect for Heavenly Father. The

power to create life is something we

should reverence. If you break the

law of chastity, you are making a

mockery of a very sacred gift.

• You live this law because you

want to; chastity is a blessing.

• Chastity makes your future mar-

riage stronger. When a couple is

chaste, their relationship can be one

of total trust.

READERS’ ANSWERSOne day some friends began to

say chastity is a thing of the past,

that today no one obeys this com-

mandment. I quickly said that I obey

it and I know plenty of people who

obey it. My friends laughed and

asked me what I would do when

faced with a temptation. I told them

about an experience when I said no

to someone. When she refused to

listen, I left her presence, running.

Then I told them we are created in

the image of God and our bodies are

sacred. Some months later a friend

who listened that day was baptized.

Jean Fernando da Silva, 20,

Planaltina Second Ward,

Brasilia Brazil North Stake

When I wasn’t able to change my

friends’ opinion with words, I tried to

do so with my example. Many times I

had to refrain from participating in

their activities. Although I was left to

myself, I knew I was doing the right

thing.

Now some of my friends have had

unpleasant experiences, and some of

them are starting to live this impor-

tant law.

Linda López Fierro, 16,

Isidro Ayora Ward,

Guayaquil Ecuador East

Stake

We can explain that to enjoy the

blessings of God, we need the guid-

ance and constant companionship of

A WARNING

In the beginning there was one

among us who rebelled at the

plan of our Heavenly Father. He

vowed to destroy and to disrupt

the plan.

“He was prevented from

having a mortal body and was

cast out—limited forever from

establishing a kingdom of his

own. He became satanically

jealous. He knows that this power

of creation is not just an incident

to the plan, but a key to it.

“He knows that if he can entice

you to use this power prematurely,

to use it too soon, or to misuse

it in any way, you may well lose

your opportunities for eternal

progression.”—President Boyd K.

Packer, Acting President of the

Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

(“Why Stay Morally Clean,”

Ensign, July 1972, 112) ■

“


24

Page

25

of th

e Li

ahon

afo

llow

s th

e lo

cal i

nser

t and

The

Frie

nd.

the Holy Ghost. Abstaining from pre-

marital sex and remaining faithful to

our spouse after marriage are essen-

tial to retaining this companionship.

Emeka Ofoegbu, 23,

Ugborikoko Branch,

Warri Nigeria District

President David O. McKay

(1873–1970) taught that “a woman

should be queen of her own body”

(in Conference Report, Apr. 1952,

86). If my spirit submits to bodily

pleasures, I will lose self-respect. If I

cannot respect myself, I cannot love

Heavenly Father with all my heart,

mind, and strength and my neighbor

as myself. Only when my spirit gov-

erns my body to be morally clean can

I be queen of my body.

Anne Soininen, 20,

Joensuu Branch,

Kuopio Finland District

I try not to be judgmental but to

make it clear to my friends that there

is nothing I cherish more than to be a

virtuous woman.

Ama Dapaah, 23,

Ola University Ward,

Cape Coast Ghana Stake

If questions arise, I talk about the

Ten Commandments. I explain also

that sexual immorality is second only

to murder in seriousness (see Alma

39:5). My friends are always surprised,

but I explain that the Lord gives us

commandments for our happiness

and that the obedient receive

blessings.

Irina Kutsenko, 19,

Voronezh Levoberezhny

Branch,

Russia Moscow South Mission

We can set an example by keeping

our thoughts and actions clean,

dressing modestly, and using appro-

priate speech. We can teach others

that clean lives will allow us to stand

blameless before God at the last day.

Elder Tagiape‘a Magalo, 27,

Samoa Apia Mission

Before my mission my friends had

many conversations about how to

break this law. There were almost

never conversations about how to

flee from sin. But I have learned

that we can teach others that our

thoughts have to be pure so our acts

will be pure. The Lord will give us the

words we need.

Elder Otto E. Visoni O., 20,

Honduras San Pedro

Sula Mission

The Apostle Paul said: “Know ye

not that ye are the temple of God,

and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in

you? . . . The temple of God is holy,

which temple ye are” (1 Corinthians

3:16–17). Our bodies do not belong

to us. We must take good care of

them by living the law of chastity.

Tahia Mou-Fa, 16,

Uturoa Ward,

Raromatai Tahiti Stake

I try to share positive thoughts

on chastity. I share advice given by

parents and Church leaders and also

scriptures that teach about this law.

Makeleta Fonua, 18,

Matahau Second Ward,

Nuku‘alofa Tonga

Ha‘akame Stake

Questions and Answers is a youthfeature, and we hope to print a wideselection of youth answers from avariety of countries. Please mail your answer to arrive no later than1 March 2003. Send it to Questions

and Answers 03/03, Liahona, 50 East

North Temple Street, Salt Lake City,

UT 84150-3223, USA; or e-mail [email protected].

Your answer may be typed or clearlywritten in your own language. Itmust include your full name, age,home address, and ward and stake(or branch and district). Pleaseinclude a photograph of yourself; thisphotograph will not be returned.

QUESTION: My dad is very busy.

With school, friends, and Church

activities, I am gone a lot too. What

can I do to stay close to my dad and

enjoy a good relationship when we

hardly see each other? ■

Prepare Every Needful Thing

V I S I T I N G T E A C H I N G M E S S A G E

ILLU

STRA

TIO

N B

Y JU

LIE

ANN

ALL

EN

P rayerfully select and readfrom this message the scrip-tures and teachings that meet

the needs of the sisters you visit. Shareyour experiences and testimony.Invite those you teach to do the same.

D&C 88:119: The Lord gave coun-

sel to the Saints building the Kirtland

Temple that also applies to building

righteous lives and righteous families

today: “Prepare every needful thing.”

How do we determine what is “need-

ful,” or of highest priority, as we pre-

pare ourselves and our families?

Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the

Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:

“Jesus taught about priorities when

He said, ‘Seek not the things of this

world but seek ye first

to build up the king-

dom of God, and to

establish his righteousness, and all

these things shall be added unto you’

(JST, Matt. 6:38, in Matt. 6:33, foot-

note a). ‘Seek . . . first to build up the

kingdom of God’ means to assign

first priority to God and to His work.

The work of God is to bring to pass

the eternal life of His children (see

Moses 1:39), and all that this entails

in the birth, nurturing, teaching, and

sealing of our Heavenly Father’s chil-

dren. Everything else is lower in pri-

ority” (“Focus and Priorities,”

Liahona, July 2001, 100–101).

Patricia T. Holland, former first

counselor in the Young Women gen-

eral presidency: “On a beautifully

clear and bright day, I sat overlooking

the Sea of Galilee. I opened my Bible

and turned to the account in Luke of

Martha, a woman like me ‘troubled

about many things.’ But instead of

the words printed on the page

before me, I thought I saw with my

mind and heard with my heart these

words: ‘Pat, Pat, thou [art] careful

and troubled about many things.’

Then the power of pure and person-

al revelation took hold of me as I

read, ‘But one thing, [only one

thing] is truly needful.’ (See Luke

10:38–42.) . . .

“Spirit to spirit, our loving Father

in heaven seemed to be whispering

to me, ‘You don’t have to worry over

so many things. The one thing that is

needful—the only thing that is truly

needful—is to keep your eyes toward

my Son.’

“ ‘Learn of me,’ he seemed to say,

‘and listen to my words; walk in the

meekness of my Spirit, and you shall

have peace in me.’ (D&C 19:23.)”

(“‘But One Thing Is Truly Needful,’ ”

Tambuli, Mar. 1988, 35).

How can we avoid distractions as we

prepare ourselves and our families?

Elder Richard G. Scott of the

Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:

“Some places are sacred and holy

where it seems easier to discern the

direction of the Holy Spirit. The

temple is such a place. Find a retreat

of peace and quiet where periodically

you can ponder and let the Lord

establish the direction of your life.

Each of us needs to periodically

check our bearings and confirm that

we are on course. Sometime soon

you may benefit from taking this per-

sonal inventory:

“What are my highest priorities tobe accomplished while on earth?

“How do I use my discretionarytime? Is some of it consistentlyapplied to my highest priorities?

“Is there anything I know I shouldnot be doing? If so, I will repent andstop it now.

“In a quiet moment write down

your responses. Analyze them. Make

any necessary adjustments.

“Put first things first” (“First Things

First,” Liahona, July 2001, 9). ■


26

WORDSOF JESUS

“Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven” (Luke 6:37).

Forgiveness

Our understanding that

we owe a great debt to

our Heavenly King

unlocks the door to the

gifts of repentance and

forgiveness.

Forgiveness
B Y E L D E R C E C I L O. S A M U E L S O N J R .Of the Presidency of the Seventy
It is the Savior’s desire that we each feel

His peace. He said: “Peace I leave with

you, my peace I give unto you. . . . Let

not your heart be troubled, neither let it be

afraid” (John 14:27). In these troubled times,

a familiar hymn assures us:

Sweet is the peace the gospel brings

To seeking minds and true.

With light refulgent on its wings

It clears the human view.1

We may have much that worries us, and we

may find many reasons to be concerned. Yet,

as President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985)

observed, peace and the Savior’s doctrine of

forgiveness are inseparably connected: “The

essence . . . of forgiveness is that it brings

peace to the previously anxious, restless,

frustrated, perhaps tormented soul.”2

Luke records a story from the life of the

Savior that demonstrates the kind of peace

the Savior bestows when we receive His

forgiveness (see Luke 7:36–50). Jesus was

invited to the home of Simon, a Pharisee,

for dinner. A woman who is described as a

sinner learned that Jesus was in the house

and came, bringing ointment. As Jesus

rested, leaning forward on a couch with

His feet extended away from the table,

the woman approached Him from behind,

weeping and washing His feet with her

tears. She wiped His feet with her hair,

kissed them, and poured the fragrant oint-

ment on them, taking care to gently rub

the oil into His feet. The host found fault

with Jesus for accepting this act of kindness

from a sinner. Jesus perceived his thoughts

and offered for his chastisement one of His

most poignant lessons on the doctrine of

forgiveness.

He told the story of a creditor who had

two debtors. One owed 10 times more than

the other. Neither had the means to pay his

debt, so the creditor graciously forgave them

both. “Tell me therefore,” the Savior asked,

“which of [the debtors] will love [the credi-

tor] most?” (Luke 7:42). Simon rightly

answered that the debtor who owed the

most would probably love the most.

Jesus then compared Simon’s lack of care

and hospitality for Him to the woman’s

actions. The Master wanted Simon to see

himself in the story as the debtor who owed

less and the woman as the debtor who owed

Jesus offered one

of His most

poignant lessons

on forgiveness when

He said, “Her sins,

which are many,

are forgiven; for

she loved much:

but to whom little

is forgiven, the same

loveth little.”

LEFT

:D

ETAI

L FR

OM

CH

RIST

IN T

HE

SYN

AGO

GU

E,BY

GU

STAV

E D

ORÉ

; RI

GH

T: S

EEST

TH

OU

TH

IS W

OM

AN,B

Y C

RYST

AL H

AUET

ER
more. Jesus reinforced His point by saying,
“Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which

are many, are forgiven; for she loved much:

but to whom little is forgiven, the same

loveth little” (Luke 7:47).

Jesus then turned His attention to

the woman. Looking her in the eyes, He

bestowed His peace upon her, saying: “Thy

sins are forgiven. . . . Thy faith hath saved

thee; go in peace” (Luke 7:48, 50).

We do not know the circumstances sur-

rounding this woman’s transgressions, but

we can imagine the gratitude, joy, and peace

she must have felt at that moment.

Peace in Christ

We must look to the Savior, not the wis-

dom of the world, for peace and forgiveness.

You may recall the story of the man with palsy

who was paralyzed (see Matthew 9:1–8; Mark

2:1–12; Luke 5:17–26).

The Savior was in Capernaum, teaching in

a house crowded to overflowing. Four men

came carrying their disabled friend on a

stretcher, hoping Jesus would heal him.

Because of the great congestion at the door,

the men carried him to the roof, made an

opening, and carefully lowered the palsied

sufferer into the room where Jesus was. Jesus

was not irritated by this interruption but was

touched by their faith. He boldly and publicly

said to the sick man, “Son, be of good cheer;

thy sins be forgiven thee” (Matthew 9:2) and

admonished him to sin no more (see Joseph

Smith Translation, Matthew 9:2).

As the man still lay on his bed, some of the

scribes and Pharisees thought to themselves

that Jesus had just committed the sin of


28

blasphemy (see Bible Dictionary, “Blasphemy,” 625–26).

He confronted their faithless minds by asking if it requires

more power to forgive sins than to heal the sick (see

Joseph Smith Translation, Luke 5:23). The Savior said that

so His listeners would “know that the Son of man hath

power on earth to forgive sins” (Matthew 9:6; see Joseph

Smith Translation, Matthew 9:6).

Jesus then turned to the palsied man and declared, “Arise,

and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house” (Mark

2:11). And immediately he arose and did as he was com-

manded. The complainers and critics could not dispute the

obvious miracle and its clear implication: Jesus has the power

to forgive sins. And “good cheer” or peace results when we

know that our sins have truly been forgiven by Him.

Forgiving Others

When the Master taught His disciples what to do when

they felt offended or received trespasses (see Matthew

18:15–35), it seemed to them to be a new doctrine. “If thy

brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault

between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou

hast gained thy brother” (Matthew 18:15). The Savior’s

words about forgiving others required a significant adjust-

ment in attitude. They had been schooled in the notion of

“an eye for an eye” (Matthew 5:38; see Leviticus 24:20).

Peter, wanting to be sure he understood the meaning of

the teaching, asked, “Lord, how oft shall my brother sin

against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?” (Matthew

18:21). Peter was probably aware of the rabbinical require-

ment that the offender make the first move to resolve the

offense and that the offended person forgive only two or

three times.3

Jesus answered with clarity, “I say not unto thee, Until

seven times: but, Until seventy times seven” (Matthew

18:22). In other words, there must be no constraints,

numerical or otherwise, placed on our forgiveness of others.

The Savior then told His disciples a parable so that

they might more fully appreciate, remember, and apply

the lesson that we must forgive everyone (see Matthew

18:23–32). He described a king who wanted to settle his

accounts with his servants who owed him money. The first

servant owed him 10,000 talents, which would probably be

the modern equivalent of millions of U.S. dollars. The ser-

vant was not able to repay the debt, so the king ordered

him and his family to be sold into slavery. The desperate

servant petitioned for time and patience, promising to pay

all. Touched by his sincerity, the king was moved with com-

passion and forgave his very large debt. The servant, there-

fore, fell down and worshiped him.

This same servant, who had just been the recipient of

the king’s wonderful act of mercy and forgiveness, immedi-

ately went in search of a fellow servant who owed him 100

pence, the probable equivalent of a few U.S. dollars. He

rudely demanded immediate payment. When the fellow

servant pleaded for time and patience, the first servant was

not willing to extend what he had just freely received from

the king. He had his fellow servant cast into prison until he

could pay the debt. This callous act was observed by other

servants and duly reported to the king. “And his lord was

wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should

pay all that was due unto him.” Jesus then added this post-

script, “So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto

you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his

brother their trespasses” (Matthew 18:34–35).

Those who wish to consider themselves as disciples of

the Master must understand that we, like the first servant,

owe a great debt to our Heavenly King for the many gifts

we have received from Him. This understanding unlocks

the door to the gifts of repentance and our own forgive-

ness. The retention of these gifts depends upon our faith-

ful forgiveness of those who have offended us. The Savior

said, “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy”

(Matthew 5:7) and, “With what judgment ye judge, ye shall

be judged” (Matthew 7:2).

Forgiving others, however, does not necessarily mean that

we would endorse or approve of the behavior or transgres-

sion. In fact, there are many actions and attitudes that

deserve clear condemnation. But even in these we must

completely forgive the offender. “Forgive, and ye shall be

forgiven” (Luke 6:37).

W hen a

disabled

man’s

friends lowered him

into the room where

Jesus was, the Savior

taught His listeners

that He has the

power to forgive

sins, boldly

declaring, “Be of

good cheer; thy sins

be forgiven thee.”

CH

RIST

HEA

LIN

G T

HE

PALS

IED

MAN

,BY

DAV

ID L

IND

SLEY

All Sins but One

The Savior was very clear that, conditioned

on repentance, all of our sins can be forgiven

through His sacred and atoning sacrifice

except for what He called “blasphemy against

the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 12:31; see also

Mark 3:28–29). The Prophet Joseph Smith

taught on this subject: “Jesus will save all

except the sons of perdition. What must a

man do to commit the unpardonable sin?

He must receive the Holy Ghost, have the

heavens opened unto him, and know God,

and then sin against Him.”4

Thus, the clear assurance of the Redeemer

is that “all sins shall be forgiven” (Mark 3:28)

when we repent, for the Savior’s mission was

to preach repentance (see Joseph Smith

Translation, Mark 3:22; see also Mosiah

26:29–30).

The Gift of Forgiveness

The Savior taught His disciples on two

separate occasions that they were to pray for

forgiveness of sins or debts to God. We are

also to demonstrate the sincerity of our

prayers by forgiving those who have sinned

against us. He instructed them to pray,

“Forgive us our debts [offenses], as we for-

give our debtors [those who have offended

us]” (Matthew 6:12) and, “Forgive us our sins;

for we also forgive every one that is indebted

to us” (Luke 11:4). Implicit in this teaching is

a direct link between pleading for forgiveness

and our efforts to repent of all our sins.

In all our forgiving and seeking forgive-

ness, we must recognize that, despite what-

ever restitution we may be capable of

providing or receiving, our efforts and those

of others are woefully insufficient to meet the

demands of eternal justice. How, then, is true

forgiveness possible? Paul, in speaking to the

Ephesians, wrote that it is in Christ that “we

have redemption through his blood, the for-

giveness of sins, according to the riches of his

grace” (Ephesians 1:7).

The blessings that flow from the gift of

forgiveness are many. Chief among them is

peace. It is the Savior’s desire that we each feel

His peace. He said: “Peace I leave with you, my

peace I give unto you. . . . Let not your heart be

troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).

The forgiveness we offer to others and the for-

giveness we receive from Jesus Christ lead us

to Him and along the path to eternal life. ■

NOTES1.Hymns, no. 14.2.The Miracle of Forgiveness (1969), 363.3.See James E. Talmage, Jesus the Christ, 3rd ed.

(1916), 391–93.4.Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph

Fielding Smith (1976), 358.


30

The Parable of the

B Y E L D E R W I L F R E D O R . L Ó P E ZArea Authority Seventy

M

Growing Secretly

Seed

In the Savior’s

parable the sower

plants in faith and

harvests in joy.IL

LUST

RATI

ON

S BY

BRA

D T

EARE

y grandfather was a farmer. When I

was quite young, I used to go to

work with him at planting time. I

loved to see him get the animals ready, put

on their yokes, and hitch them to the harrow

and plow. “Where are we going to plant

today?” I would ask. “Down yonder,” he

would reply. He knew well where the fruitful

ground was.

I loved the moist, rich smell that rose

from the ground when the tip of the plow

broke the earth. As my grandfather prepared

the furrows, I would bury the seed. “This

ground is fruitful,” he would say. Later we

would go back to the field to see the first

green sprouts coming up. Soon the shoots

became stalks, and then the grain would

appear. The plants continued to grow until

they were mature.

At harvesttime, the workers would cut

the sheaves and take them to the thresh-

ing area, which consisted of poles wired

together into a large circle. The sheaves

were placed on the ground around the

outside of this circle. Then the horses

came and ran around the circle, trampling

the sheaves, which loosened the grain

from the stalks and crushed the kernels.

Next, workers came with their tools to

fan the chaff, separating it from the grain. After

their labor was done, the workers sang and danced

and enjoyed a traditional meal of roast lamb. It was

a beautiful rustic celebration. The grain was stored

in sacks and later processed into a variety of useful

products.

And yet, despite all that we did to plant and harvest,

the success of the whole process was primarily based

upon the richness of the ground, the weather, and

other conditions beyond our control. Without these

conditions, the seeds would not have germinated,

and there would have been no harvest.

The Savior’s Parable

During Jesus’ ministry in Galilee, a great multitude

gathered by the seaside to hear Him teach. He spoke to

them of a sower who planted seeds in different kinds of

earth—stony, thorny, and fertile—and received different

amounts of fruit.

He then taught them another parable, recorded only in


32

res

spe

us

g s

e w

the

ill

te

the testimony of Mark, that focuses on what causes a plant

to grow. He said:

“So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast

seed into the ground;

“And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed

should . . . grow up, he knoweth not how.

“For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself;

first the blade, then the ear, after that the full

corn in the ear.

“But when the fruit is brought forth,

immediately he putteth in the sickle,

because the harvest is come” (Mark

4:26–29).

In this parable the sower plants in

faith and harvests in joy. Once the

planting is done, he simply awakes one

day to find that his seeds have grown to

maturity. He discovers that under the influence

of the soil’s richness and the sun, rain, wind,

and dew, as well as other factors he cannot

manipulate, the leaf sprouts and the ear is

formed.1

Spiritual Growth

An important lesson of this parable is for

those of us who are teachers, whether in the

home or Church classroom, or who are involved in mis-

sionary work. The germination and full flowering of living

gospel seeds in the hearts and minds of those we teach

depend on factors over which we may have little control.

The choice of whether a person will ponder and accept

the truths of the gospel belongs, as a matter of personal

agency, with those we teach. If a person’s testimony is to

grow until it bears mature fruit, or conversion, God must

be the primary force behind our harvest. Under the influ-

ence of the Holy Spirit, we may participate in the educa-

tion of those who are growing and becoming fruitful. We,

as authorized sowers, need to understand and trust that

The

go

Jes

is a livin

and if w

teach it,

of God w

those we

the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is a living seed and

that if we will teach it, the grace of God will attend those

we teach, as they grow to spiritual maturity and bring

forth good works. Our joy will then be full in the day of

the harvest.

When I was a mission leader in the Independencia Ward

in Santiago, Chile, we focused on inviting the influence

of the Spirit into the lives of the new converts.

From that period of time in that ward have

come some of Chile’s great priesthood

leaders: seven stake presidents, two mis-

sion presidents, two regional representa-

tives, one member of a temple presi-

dency, and a great many bishops.

Why was the harvest so successful? It

came from the fruitfulness of the ground,

and it came from God. Therefore, the joy

I feel comes from knowing that “the earth

bringeth forth fruit of herself ” (Mark 4:28).

A favorite hymn reminds us that when we are

planting for the Master, we do not labor alone.

Indeed, when we seek to sow precious seeds

of gospel truth, we can be assured of divine

help:

Thou who knowest all our weakness,

Leave us not to sow alone!

Bid thine angels guard the furrows

Where the precious grain is sown,

Till the fields are crown’d with glory,

Filled with mellow, ripened ears,

Filled with fruit of life eternal

From the seed we sowed in tears.2 ■

Elder Wilfredo R. López is an Area Authority Seventy serving in theChile Area.

NOTES1. See James E. Talmage, Jesus the Christ, 3rd ed. (1916), 289.2. “We Are Sowing,” Hymns, no. 216.

tored

l of

Christ

eed

ill

grace

attend

ach.

KEEP YOURSELF

FREE

IF YOU’RE NOT CAREFUL,

THE WORLD WILL SELL YOU THINGS

UNTIL IT OWNS YOU.

(See Matthew 6:19–21.)

KEEP YOURSELF

FREE


34

WAKE-WAKE -Get up at 4:30 A.M. to attend seminary? I wasn’teven a member of the Church. Still, I had nothingto lose and a whole lot to gain.

hrough

seminary,

the Book

of Mormon became

easier to read and

understand. It was

not long before I

received my own

witness the book

was true.

B Y I S A A C KO F I M O R R I S O N

WWTT

hen I was 17, I went to live with

my aunt and uncle, who were

sponsoring my education. When I

arrived at their home in Sekondi, Ghana, I

immediately noticed unusual things about

their family. They had morning and evening

prayers together and held family meetings

on Monday evenings that seemed to make

each family member feel loved and appreci-

ated. Even though I was an active member

of another faith, I became interested in find-

ing out about their beliefs.

When I asked Uncle Sarfo about the

Church, he explained many of the Church’s

teachings. Some I believed, and others I

did not understand.

My uncle then asked the

missionaries to teach

me the discus-

sions, and I

received all

six of the

PHOTOGRAPH BY CHRISTINA SMITH

lessons. But when

the missionaries

invited me to be

baptized, I refused

because I did not have

a testimony of the

Book of Mormon.

I found it difficult

to read and

understand.

To please Aunt

Evelyn and Uncle

UP CALLUP CALL
Sarfo, I had already been attending sacrament
meeting. Now they encouraged

me to enroll in the early-morning

seminary course that was to

begin in two weeks.

Getting out of bed at 4:30

A.M. was no small matter for

me, but the seminary

teacher, Solomon Agbo, vis-

ited me, encouraged me to

attend, and seemed already

to care about me. I decided

to go to seminary, and

once I made that decision,

I resolved not to be absent

even for a single day. The

course of study was the

Book of Mormon, and I

wanted to see if I might gain

a testimony of the book.

As I began studying the Book of Mormon for seminary,

I experienced the feelings Elder Parley P. Pratt (1807–57)

of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles described when he

first found the Book of Mormon. “I opened it with eager-

ness, and read its title page,” he wrote. “I then read the

testimony of several witnesses in relation to the manner

of its being found and translated. After this I commenced

its contents by course. I read all day; eating was a burden,

I had no desire for food; sleep was a burden when the

night came, for I preferred reading to sleep” (Auto-biography of Parley P. Pratt [1985], 18).

As I read, the Spirit of the Lord bore witness that the

Book of Mormon is truly another testament of Jesus

Christ. Through seminary the Book of Mormon became

much easier to read. Whenever it was hard to follow, my

teacher helped me understand. I received a testimony

that the Book of Mormon is “the most correct of any

book on earth, . . . and a man [will] get nearer to God by

abiding by its precepts, than by any other book” (Joseph

Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph

Fielding Smith [1976], 194).

I was baptized on 5 March 1995. By

the time I was 21 I was a seminary

teacher myself, helping others know of

the divinity and truthfulness of the book

that changed my life. ■


Isaac Kofi Morrison is a full-time missionary in the Nigeria Uyo Mission.

Three stories from

Elder James E. Talmage’s

own experience teach

us to trust in the Lord’s

perspective.

G O S P E L C L A S S I C S

ThreeParablesThe Unwise Bee, the Owl Express, and Two Lamps

B Y E L D E R J A M E S E . TA L M A G E ( 1 8 6 2 – 1 9 3 3 )Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

E lder Talmage served as an Apostle for22 years and wrote two books for theChurch that are in wide use to this

day, Jesus the Christ and The Articles of

Faith. Beginning in January 1914 ElderTalmage also published a series of parables,stories taken from his personal experiencethat teach gospel principles. Following arethree of his choicest ones.

The Parable of the Unwise Bee

Sometimes I find myself under obliga-

tions of work requiring quiet and seclusion

such as neither my comfortable office nor

the cozy study at home insures. My favorite

retreat is an upper room in the tower of a

large building, well removed from the noise

and confusion of the city streets. The room

is somewhat difficult of access and relatively

secure against human intrusion. Therein I

have spent many peaceful and busy hours

with books and pen.

I am not always without visitors, however,

especially in summertime; for when I sit with

windows open, flying insects occasionally find

entrance and share the place with me. These

self-invited guests are not unwelcome. Many a

time I have laid down the pen and, forgetful

of my theme, have watched with interest the

activities of these winged visitants, with an

afterthought that the time so spent had not

been wasted, for is it not true that even a

butterfly, a beetle, or a bee may be a bearer of

lessons to the receptive student?

A wild bee from the neighboring hills once

flew into the room, and at intervals during an

hour or more I caught the pleasing hum of its

flight. The little creature realized that it was a

prisoner, yet all its efforts to find the exit

through the partly opened casement failed.

When ready to close up the room and leave,

I threw the window wide and tried at first to

guide and then to drive the bee to liberty and

safety, knowing well that if left in the room it

would die as other insects there entrapped

had perished in the dry atmosphere of the

enclosure. The more I tried to drive it out, the

more determinedly did it oppose and resist

my efforts. Its erstwhile peaceful hum devel-

oped into an angry roar; its darting flight

became hostile and threatening.

Then it caught me off my guard and stung

my hand—the hand that would have guided

it to freedom. At last it alighted on a pendant

attached to the ceiling, beyond my reach of

help or injury. The sharp pain of its unkind

sting aroused in me rather pity than anger. I

knew the inevitable penalty of its mistaken

ILLU

STRA

TIO

NS

BY D

ILLE

EN M

ARSH

opposition and defiance, and I had to leave the creature to

its fate. Three days later I returned to the room and found

the dried, lifeless body of the bee on the writing table. It

had paid for its stubbornness with its life.

To the bee’s shortsightedness and selfish misunderstand-

ing I was a foe, a persistent persecutor, a mortal enemy

bent on its destruction; while in truth I was its friend, offer-

ing it ransom of the life it had put in forfeit through its own

error, striving to redeem it, in spite of itself, from the prison

house of death and restore it to the outer air of liberty.

Are we so much wiser than the bee that no analogy lies

between its unwise course and our lives? We are prone to

contend, sometimes with vehemence and anger, against

the adversity which after all may be the manifestation of

To the bee’s

shortsightedness

and selfish

misunderstanding I was

a foe; while in truth I was

its friend, offering it

ransom of the life it had

put in forfeit.

superior wisdom and loving care, directed against our

temporary comfort for our permanent blessing. In the

tribulations and sufferings of mortality there is a divine

ministry which only the godless soul can wholly fail to

discern. To many the loss of wealth has been a boon, a

providential means of leading or driving them from the

confines of selfish indulgence to the sunshine and the

open, where boundless opportunity waits on effort.

Disappointment, sorrow, and affliction may be the

expression of an all-wise Father’s kindness.

Consider the lesson of the unwise bee!

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not

unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowl-

edge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5–6).

38

The Parable of the Owl Express

During my college days, I was one of a class of students

appointed to fieldwork as a part of our prescribed courses

in geology—the science that deals with the earth in all of

its varied aspects and phases, but more particularly with

its component rocks, the structural features they present,

the changes they have undergone and are undergoing—

the science of worlds.

A certain assignment had kept us in the field many

days. We had traversed, examined, and charted miles

of lowlands and uplands, valleys and hills, mountain

heights and canyon defiles. As the time allotted to the

investigation drew near its close, we were overtaken

by a violent windstorm, followed by a heavy snow—

unseasonable and unexpected, but which, nevertheless,

increased in intensity so that we were in danger of being

snowbound in the hills. The storm reached its height

while we were descending a long and steep mountainside

several miles from the little railway station at which we

had hoped to take [a] train that night for home. With

great effort we reached the station late at night while the

storm was yet raging. We were suffering from the intense

cold incident to biting wind and driving snow; and, to add

to our discomfiture, we learned that the expected train

had been stopped by snowdrifts a few miles from the

little station at which we waited.

. . . The train for which we so expectantly and hope-

fully waited was the Owl Express—a fast night train con-

necting large cities. Its time schedule permitted stops at

but few and these the most important stations; but, as

we knew, it had to stop at this out-of-the-way post to

replenish the water supply of the locomotive.

Long after midnight the train arrived in a terrific whirl

of wind and snow. I lingered behind my companions as

they hurriedly clambered aboard, for I was attracted by

the engineer, who during the brief stop, while his assis-

tant was attending to the water replenishment, bustled

about the engine, oiling

some parts, adjusting

others, and generally

n effect the engineer

said: “Look at the
Iengine headlight.
Doesn’t that light up the

track for a hundred

yards or more? Well, all

I try to do is to cover that

hundred yards of lighted

track. That I can see,

and for that distance I

know the roadbed is open

and safe.”

overhauling the panting locomotive. I ventured to speak

to him, busy though he was. I asked how he felt on such

a night—wild, weird, and furious, when the powers of

destruction seemed to be let loose, abroad and uncon-

trolled, when the storm was howling and when danger

threatened from every side. I thought of the possibility—

the probability even—of snowdrifts or slides on the track,

of bridges and high trestles which may have been loosened

by the storm, of rock masses dislodged from the

mountainside—of these and other possible obstacles.

I realized that in the event of accident through obstruction

on or disruption of the track, the engineer and the fireman

would be the ones most exposed to danger; a violent colli-

sion would most likely cost them their lives. All of these

thoughts and others I expressed in hasty ques-

tioning of the bustling, impatient engineer.

His answer was a lesson not yet forgotten.

In effect he said, though in jerky and dis-

jointed sentences: “Look at the engine head-

light. Doesn’t that light up the track for a

hundred yards [90 m] or more? Well, all I try

to do is to cover that hundred yards of lighted

track. That I can see, and for that distance I

know the roadbed is open and safe. And,” he

added, with what, through the swirl and the

dim lamplighted darkness of the roaring

night, I saw was a humorous smile on his lips

and a merry twinkle of his eye, “believe me,

I have never been able to drive this old engine

of mine—God bless her!—so fast as to outstrip

that hundred yards of lighted track. The light of

the engine is always ahead of me!”

As he climbed to his place in the cab, I

hastened to board the first passenger coach;

and as I sank into the cushioned seat, in

blissful enjoyment of the warmth and

general comfort, offering strong contrast

to the wildness of the night without, I

thought deeply of the words of the grimy,

oil-stained engineer. They were full of


40

faith—the faith that accomplishes great things, the faith

that gives courage and determination, the faith that

leads to works. What if the engineer had failed, had

yielded to fright and fear, had refused to go on because

of the threatening dangers? Who knows what work may

have been hindered, what great plans may have been

nullified, what God-appointed commissions of mercy

and relief may have been thwarted had the engineer

weakened and quailed?

For a little distance the storm-swept track was lighted

up; for that short space the engineer drove on!

We may not know what lies ahead of us in the future

years, nor even in the days or hours immediately

beyond. But for a few yards, or possibly only a few feet,

the track is clear, our duty is plain, our course is illu-

mined. For that short distance, for the next step,

lighted by the inspiration of God, go on!

The Parable of Two Lamps

Among the material things of the past—things that I

treasure for sweet memory’s sake and because of pleasant

association in bygone days—is a lamp. . . .

The lamp of which I speak, the student lamp of my

school and college days, was one of the best of its kind.

I had bought it with hard-earned savings; it was counted

among my most cherished possessions. . . .

One summer evening I sat musing studiously and

withal restfully in the open air outside the door of the

room in which I lodged and studied. A stranger

approached. I noticed that he carried a satchel. He was

affable and entertaining. I brought another chair from

che

t bla

le Ar

d a

. Un

conv

ion,

n th

wh

nd

str

within, and we chatted together till the twilight had

deepened into dusk, the dusk into darkness.

Then he said: “You are a student and doubtless have

much work to do of nights. What kind of lamp do you use?”

And without waiting for a reply, he continued, “I have a

superior kind of lamp I should like to show you, a lamp

designed and constructed according to the

latest achievements of applied science, far

surpassing anything heretofore produced

as a means of artificial lighting.”

I replied with confidence, and I con-

fess, not without some exultation: “My

friend, I have a lamp, one that has been

tested and proved. It has been to me a

companion through many a long night. It

is an Argand lamp, and one of the best. I

have trimmed and cleaned it today; it is

ready for the lighting. Step inside; I will

show you my lamp; then you may tell me

whether yours can possibly be better.”

We entered my study room, and with a

feeling which I assume is akin to that of the athlete about to

enter a contest with one whom he regards as a pitiably infe-

rior opponent, I put the match to my well-trimmed Argand.

My visitor was voluble in his praise. It was the best lamp

of its kind, he said. He averred that he had never seen a

lamp in better trim. He turned the wick up and down and

pronounced the adjustment perfect. He declared that

never before had he realized how satisfactory a student

lamp could be.

I liked the man; he seemed to me wise, and he assuredly

was ingratiating. “Love me, love my lamp,” I thought, men-

tally paraphrasing a common expression of the period.

“Now,” said he, “with your permission I’ll light my

lamp.” He took from his satchel a lamp then known as

the “Rochester.” It had a chimney which, compared with

mine, was as a factory smokestack alongside a house flue.

Its hollow wick was wide enough to admit my four fingers.

Its light made bright the remotest corner of my room. In

its brilliant blaze my own little Argand wick burned a

In the Ro

brillian

own litt

wick burne

pale yellow

moment of

demonstrat

never know

obscurity in

had lived a

studied and

weak, pale yellow. Until that moment of convincing

demonstration, I had never known the dim obscurity in

which I had lived and labored, studied and struggled.

“I’ll buy your lamp,” said I; “you need neither explain

nor argue further.” I took my new acquisition to the labo-

ratory that same night and determined its capacity. It

turned at over 48 candlepower—fully four

times the intensity of my student lamp.

Two days after purchasing, I met the

lamp peddler on the street about noon-

time. To my inquiry he replied that busi-

ness was good; the demand for his lamps

was greater than the factory supply. “But,”

said I, “you are not working today?” His

rejoinder was a lesson. “Do you think that

I would be so foolish as to go around try-

ing to sell lamps in the daytime? Would

you have bought one if I had lighted it for

you when the sun was shining? I chose

the time to show the superiority of my

lamp over yours, and you were eager to

own the better one I offered, were you not?”

Such is the story. Now consider the application of a

part, a very small part, thereof.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see

your good works, and glorify your Father which is in

heaven” [Matthew 5:16].

The man who would sell me a lamp did not disparage

mine. He placed his greater light alongside my feebler

flame, and I hasted to obtain the better.

The missionary servants of the Church of Jesus Christ

today are sent forth, not to assail or ridicule the beliefs of

men, but to set before the world a superior light, by which

the smoky dimness of the flickering flames of man-made

creeds shall be apparent. The work of the Church is con-

structive, not destructive.

As to the further meaning of the parable, let him that

hath eyes and a heart see and understand. ■

Published in the Improvement Era, Sept. 1914, 1008–9; Jan. 1914,256–58; July 1914, 807–9; punctuation and spelling modernized.

ster’s

ze my

gand

weak,

til that

incing

I had

e dim

ich I

labored,

uggled.


42

L A T T E R - D A Y S A I N T V O I C E S

A Special Witness of Jesus ChristBy Irene Coimbra de Oliveira Cláudio

A s Elder Holland, an

Apostle, spoke I began

to feel within myself a

witness that this man truly was

a representative of the Lord and

that his message was true.

When I entered the immense

coliseum for regional con-

ference, I saw beautifully

arranged flowers and, even more im-

pressive, thousands

of people waiting in reverent silence.

Everything seemed perfect. I found

a seat and admired each detail as I

quietly waited.

As a recent convert, I was experi-

encing my first regional conference.

I was eager to worship and sing with

members from all over my region of

Brazil. But mostly I was anxious to

see and hear an Apostle in person

for the first time. I wondered what

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, the visiting

General Authority, would be like.

Would a member of the Quorum of

the Twelve Apostles seem different

from other leaders in and out of the

Church? Would he really be a special

witness of Jesus Christ?

Before I left for the conference,

my husband, who is not a member

of the Church, said to me sarcasti-

cally, “So you are going to hear an

Apostle of Jesus Christ. Will he be

holy?”

“I don’t know,” I answered. “I’ll

tell you when I return.”

As I pondered and waited for

Elder Holland to arrive, I desired to

have a witness that this man was

truly an Apostle of Jesus Christ. I

prayed to Heavenly Father to know

how to share my experience with my

husband when I returned home.

When the local leaders and

General Authorities entered the

room, I was unable to determine

which of them was the Apostle.

There was nothing about his

appearance to differentiate him

from the others. When I finally

identified Elder Holland, I won-

dered to myself, “What is different

about this man?”

After the opening hymn, an in-

vocation, and remarks by our local

leaders, Sister Patricia T. Holland, the

Apostle’s wife, was introduced. She

was assisted by an interpreter, but I

felt I could understand her in her

own language because she did not

speak just to our ears. She spoke

also to our hearts.

Following her talk Elder Holland

walked to the pulpit. When he began

speaking, I was surprised at how

normal his words sounded. But as

he talked I began to feel within

myself a witness that this man truly

was a representative of the Lord

and that his message was true. I

thought about Jesus Christ, who

also appeared physically to be

like other men but who had the

ILLUSTRATIONS BY BRIAN CALL

sublime mission to be the Savior of

the world. As Elder Holland finished

his talk, he bore testimony that

Jesus Christ lives and that this is

His true Church. The Spirit witnessed

to me that Elder Holland had been

appointed to speak in the name of

the Lord and that he was truly one

of the Lord’s Apostles.

When I arrived home, my hus-

band asked, “So what kind of man

was this Apostle?”

“On the outside, he seems just

like any man,” I said. “But he is really

much more—he is a special witness

of Jesus Christ.” ■

Irene Coimbra de Oliveira Cláudio is amember of the Jardim IndepêndenciaWard, Ribeirão Preto Brazil Stake.

There Was No QuestionBy Giuseppe Martinengo

When the missionaries

showed me the filmstrip

of the Prophet Joseph

Smith’s First Vision, it was difficult for

me to contain my tears. The story of

his search for truth was in some ways

similar to my own.

At that time, I was 20 years old and

living in Italy, the land of my birth. For

five years I had been looking for

answers my parents’ religion

had not been able to

give me. I had

sought these answers in other reli-

gions and philosophies, but some-

thing seemed lacking in all of them.

During the year before I met the mis-

sionaries, that search had become

the most important thing in my life.

I distanced myself from some of my

friends and even left the university

where I had been studying. My

relatives could not understand me.

At the end of 1984, I met the mis-

sionaries on the street and gave

them my address. I knew very little

about the Church, but for some rea-

son I wanted to speak to them.

Some days later I was in my room.

I opened my heart to God, asking

Him to show me what He wanted me

to do. As I prayed I felt a great

peace surround me. At that exact

moment, the doorbell rang. When

the missionaries came in, I knew

they had the answers I sought.

During the second discussion, the

missionaries challenged my mother

and me to be baptized. Our reactions

were very different. After reading

a good portion of the Book of

Mormon, I had fasted and prayed

and received a confirmation of the

truth of what the missionaries were

teaching. My mother, however, did

not have the slightest intention of

being baptized.

When the missionaries left, my

mother presented me with a difficult

choice. If I chose to be baptized, I

would have to live somewhere else.

For me there was no question. I

knew what was right; I left my

mother’s home that night.

The following day the missionaries,

the branch president, and I went to

my mother’s home to try to resolve

the problem. During the discussion

that followed, I accepted my mother’s

request to wait a month before being

baptized—but I did so only out of

respect for her and to prove to her

that my desires were sincere.

During that month the missionar-

ies continued teaching us. Nothing

changed for my mother, and it

became clear that she wanted me to

again delay my baptism. But I could

not wait, and on 15 February 1985—

the best day of my life until then—I

was baptized.

My mother was angry at my deci-

sion, and I didn’t know what I was

going to do. I met with my branch

president, and as we prayed together,

I felt inspired to ask my father’s

brother to let me live with his family.

My uncle agreed but on the

W hen the missionaries

showed me the filmstrip

of the First Vision, it

was difficult to contain my tears.

I knew it was true,

and that knowledge left me

with no question about what I

should do.

condition that I return to the univer-

sity. Soon, however, our relationship

deteriorated because he did not want

me to go to church or to help the

missionaries. Finally, he prohibited

me from leaving the house for the

district conference where I was to

receive the Melchizedek Priesthood.

Once more I had to choose

between a tranquil life and the

gospel. For me there was no ques-

tion. That Saturday I arose early,

packed my clothes, and left.

It was not easy being a member of

the Church, but the Lord blessed me

as I made my own way without the

support of my family. One of my

greatest blessings came when I went

to visit the home of a newly baptized

couple on an assignment from the

elders quorum. There I met their

daughter Giovanna.

After a time Giovanna was also bap-

tized, and we planned to be married.

But on the day of our wedding a legal

notice arrived stating that the mar-

riage could not take place. My mother

had found a way to prevent it. After

several difficult months we resolved

the matter and were married. We now

have four beautiful children.

As a family we have had difficult

experiences, but these experiences

have strengthened our testimonies.

The Lord has blessed us greatly, and

He has used our trials and difficulties

to guide and bless our lives. Of this

there is no question. ■

Giuseppe Martinengo is a member of theTimpanogos Park Fifth Ward, Orem UtahNorth Stake.

A Very SpecialTableclothBy Juan Aldo Leone

I n 1995 I returned from my last

trip through the vast Argentina

Córdoba Mission, having served

as counselor to the mission president

for eight unforgettable years. A new

calling as president of the Villa Allende

Branch was waiting for me. Twice

before I had held that position in

other units. As always I was grateful for

the opportunity to serve. My new call-

ing made me think about the growth

of the Church in my part of Argentina;

one particular experience made me

even more grateful for my heritage in

the gospel.

Forty years before that time, the

original branch in Córdoba was

divided. From that first division, a

branch (now the Villa Belgrano

Ward) was created west of the city.

It was the basis for many other units

created in subsequent years.

Each time a new branch was

organized, the Villa Belgrano Ward,

like the generous trunk of a robust

tree, provided to the tender young

shoots part of its leadership and

membership and also donated what-

ever materials it could: a pulpit,

chairs, tables, sacrament trays, and

so forth. After a new branch was fully

equipped, these extra items were

again donated to other new branches.

In this way furniture and other items


46

ARKS

DAL

E; D

ETAI

L FR

OM

JO

SEPH

SM

ITH

were scattered as they were put to

good use.

Today the little branch in Villa

Allende is a ward with a beautiful

meetinghouse and an excellent young

bishop. But in 1995, when I began

serving as branch president, we met

in a large, old rented house. One

Sunday when we were meeting in the

A s my counselor and

I officiated at the

sacrament table, I

paid no particular attention to

the tablecloth until the words

santa cena brought a flood of

memories to my mind.

RRIS

AN

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old house, one of my counselors and

I were blessing the sacrament. It had

been years since I had officiated in

this sacred ordinance; usually our

young Aaronic Priesthood bearers

enjoyed that privilege.

At first I paid no particular atten-

tion to the white tablecloth cover-

ing the sacrament trays. But as we

stood to break the bread, the words

santa cena (sacrament), beautifully

embroidered and standing out in

relief, made my heart beat fast and

my eyes fill with tears.

In a simple, ordinary way

Heavenly Father reminded me of the

many blessings I had received during

60 years as a member of His true

OM

TO

P RI

GH

T: B

RIG

HAM

YO

UN

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ND

TH

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,BY

JAM

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RIST

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, BY

KEN

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; M

ARTI

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Church. Those embroidered letters

were unmistakable. Forty years

before, my mother, who along with

my father was a pioneer in our city,

had taken a piece of linen from her

trousseau and asked me to write in

the middle of it the words santacena. She then delicately embroi-

dered over the letters and donated

to the branch its first tablecloth.

During our years of continual

growth, changes, moves, and new

units, I had sometimes wondered

about the tablecloth. Had it burned

in the Villa Belgrano meetinghouse

fire in 1979?

But here it was safely in front of

me. It brought to mind so many

experiences, as well as a deep well

of gratitude. After so many unit divi-

sions and hundreds of washings and

ironings and after being cared for

by many loving hands, it was still

giving service—far from the branch

where it began but still in the

Church after more than 40 years.

At that faraway time when the

tablecloth was first made, I was

serving as a brand-new, very young

branch president for the first time.

Many things had changed and

grown during the intervening years;

many other things had remained

the same. I remembered and treas-

ured both the things that change

and the things that do not as I

renewed my acquaintance with that

very special tablecloth. ■

Juan Aldo Leone is a member of the VillaAllende Ward, Córdoba Argentina SierrasStake.

FR RE

Did You Know?
The Lion of the Lord
For someone called “the Lion of

the Lord,” President Brigham Young

(1801–77) was a remarkably humble

man. One time the Prophet Joseph

Smith severely rebuked Brigham

Young. After the Prophet’s chastise-

ment, everyone in the room waited

for Brigham’s response. He could

have defended himself or been

offended, but his reply was sincerely

and simply, “Joseph, what do you

want me to do?”

President Young later said, “We

have to humble ourselves and

become like little children in our

feelings—to become humble and

childlike in spirit, . . . then we have

the privilege of growing, of increas-

ing in knowledge, in wisdom, and

in understanding” (Teachings ofPresidents of the Church: BrighamYoung [1997], 179).

It Happened in February

In February 1828, Martin Harris took a copy of

characters from the gold plates, as well as

their translation, to Professor Charles

Anthon of Columbia University in New

York City. According to Martin Harris’s

account, Professor Anthon said the characters

“were Egyptian, Chaldaic, Assyric, and Arabic; and

he said they were true characters. He gave me a

certificate, certifying . . . that they were true

characters. . . . I took the certificate and put it

into my pocket, and was just leaving the house, when Mr. Anthon called me

back, and asked me how the young man found out that there were gold

plates in the place where he found them. I answered that an angel of God

had revealed it unto him.

“He then said to me, ‘Let me see that certificate.’ I accordingly took it out

of my pocket and gave it to him, when he took it and tore it to pieces, say-

ing, that there was no such thing now as ministering of angels, and that if I

would bring the plates to him, he would translate them. I informed him that

part of the plates were sealed, and that I was forbidden to bring them. He

replied, ‘I cannot read a sealed book’ ” (History of theChurch, 1:20).

Professor Anthon fulfilled a

prophecy of Isaiah, who wrote

“of a book that is sealed, which

men deliver to one that is

learned, saying, Read this, I pray

thee: and he saith, I cannot; for

it is sealed” (Isaiah 29:11).

Leadership Tip

We are most effective in our callings when we

listen to the counsel of our leaders. The Lord has

said, “No one can assist in this work except he

shall be humble and full of love, having faith,

hope, and charity, being temperate in all things,

whatsoever shall be entrusted to his care” (D&C 12:8).

The Apostle Peter also counseled, “Yea, all of

you be subject one to another, and be clothed with

humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth

grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5). ■

Topics in This Issue

F=The Friend

Agency ............................................33

Apostles ..........................................42

Articles of Faith ..............................F4

Blessings ........................................12

Book of Mormon ......................34, 47

Chastity ..........................................22

Church history ....................47, F4, F6

Conversion ..............................34, 42

Example ..........................................18

Faith ..........................................8, F16

Family home evening......................48

Family relations ................42, F6, F10

Forgiveness ..............................26, F6

Friendship ................................22, F2

Holy Ghost................................2, F10

Home teaching ................................7

Jesus Christ..........26, 30, F11, F14, F16

Leadership ................................47, 48

Love ................................................12

Missionary work..................18, 30, F2

New Testament ........26, 30, F11, F14

Obedience ................................12, 22

Parables ....................................30, 36

Peace ..........................................2, 26

Preparation ....................................25

Primary............................................F4

Priorities..........................................25

Repentance ..............................12, 26

Restoration................................F2, F4

Sacrament ..............................42, F11

Service ..............................18, 42, F10

Smith, Joseph............................F4, F6

Spirituality ..................................2, 33

Teaching....................................30, 48

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Using theFebruary 2003Liahona

Discussion Ideas

● “Strengthening the Inner Self,” p. 2: President James E. Faust explains

that all things are spiritual. Discuss commandments such as tithing, the Word

of Wisdom, and keeping the Sabbath day holy. Ask how we are strengthened

spiritually through obeying these commandments.

● “Birthday Temple Trip,” p. 8: When have you had to make a difficult

choice between something you wanted to do and something Heavenly Father

wanted you to do? Or between something good and something better? How

did you feel after you made your choice?

● “Divine Love,” p. 12: Elder Russell M. Nelson teaches that the fulness of

God’s love and blessings are available to us if we meet

certain conditions. What can we do to partake of

the full expression of the Lord’s love and blessings

in our lives?

● “Pebble of Forgiveness,” p. F6: Ask family or

class members if they have any pebbles in

their shoes. If appropriate, relate an experi-

ence you have had in forgiving, emphasizing

how good you felt when you forgave.

Test Your Knowledge

See if you can match the people or things that appear together

in the Savior’s parables.

Temples and temple work ..........8, F9

Visiting teaching ............................25..

..

1. Wheat

2. Rain

3. Wine

4. Seed

5. Prodigal son

6. Rich man

a. Bottles (see Matthew 9:17)

b. Sand (see Matthew 7:24–27)

c. Tares (see Matthew 13:24–30)

d. Lazarus (see Luke 16:19–31)

e. Thorns (see Matthew 13:3–8)

f. Fatted calf (see Luke 15:11–32)

F O R C H I L D R E N O F T H E C H U R C H O F J E S U S C H R I S T O F L A T T E R - D A Y S A I N T S • F E B R U A R Y 2 0 0 3

2

President Gordon B.

Hinckley explains how

we can testify of the

Restoration without

belittling the faith of

others.

WE BEAR WITNESS ofHIM

B Y P R E S I D E N T G O R D O N B . H I N C K L E Y

CCoommee LLiisstteenn ttoo aa PPrroopphheett’’ss VVooiiccee

We worship the Lord, declare His

divinity and His living reality. We

reaffirm our love for Him and our

knowledge of His love for us.

There are some who do not regard us as

Christians. That is not important. How we

regard ourselves is what is important. We

acknowledge that there are differences

between us. Were this not so, there would

have been no need for a restoration of the

gospel.

I hope we do not argue over this. We

simply, quietly, and without apology

testify that God has revealed Himself

and His Beloved Son in opening this full

and final dispensation of His work.

We must not become disagreeable as

we talk of doctrinal differences. But we

can never surrender that knowledge which

has come to us through revelation. Let us

never forget that this is a restoration

of [the Savior’s Church].

We can respect other religions,

and we must do so. We must recognize the

great good they accomplish. We must be

tolerant and friendly toward those not of

our faith.

I am in receipt of a letter from a man

who is not a member of the Church. He

says that his little daughter has been [pur-

posely left out of things] by her school-

mates who are Latter-day Saints. He sets

forth another instance of a child who had

a religious medal ripped from his neck by

a Latter-day Saint child. I hope this is not

true. If it is, I apologize to those who have

been offended.

Let us rise above all such conduct. Let

us be true disciples of the Christ, observing

the Golden Rule, doing unto others as we

would have them do unto us.

How grateful I am for the testimony with

which God has blessed me of the divine

calling of Joseph Smith, of the reality of the

First Vision, of the restoration of the priest-

hood, of the truth of this, The Church of

Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ●

From an April 1998 general conference address.

LEFT: CHRIST APPEARING IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE, BY ARNOLD FRIBERG; RIGHT: CHRIST AND THE BOOK OF MORMON CHILDREN, BY DEL PARSON; PHOTOGRAPH BY STEVE BUNDERSON, POSED BY MODELS

We must not become disagreeable as we talk of

doctrinal differences. But we can never surrender

that knowledge that this is a restoration

of [the Savior’s Church].

4

The Gospel Is RestoredB Y V I C K I F. M AT S U M O R I

Sharing Time

“For thus shall my church be called in the last days,

even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints”

(D&C 115:4).

§What things do you think you will remember

from Primary after you leave it? A favorite

song? A special scripture story? One of the

gospel standards?

Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apos-

tles says that in Primary he learned the names of all the

Apostles serving then, as well as all the Articles of Faith.

When he tried to remember them as an adult, he says,

“I discovered I could still name the Twelve Apostles. . . .

[But] after the first five articles of faith, I had trouble

remembering their order and their full content.”

So Elder Perry again studied the Articles of Faith, and

as he did he had “a deep conviction . . . that they were

given by revelation to the Prophet Joseph Smith.”

The Prophet Joseph wrote a letter to John Wentworth,

a newspaper editor. The Prophet wrote about many

things that happened when the gospel was restored.

He told about the First Vision and about translating the

Book of Mormon. Then he wrote the Articles of Faith—

13 statements explaining Latter-day Saints’ beliefs.

Elder Perry promises: “If you will use [the Articles of

Faith] as a guide to direct your studies of the Savior’s

doctrine, you will find yourselves prepared to declare

your witness of the restored, true church of the Lord.

You will be able to declare with conviction: ‘We believe

these things’ ” (“The Articles of Faith,” Ensign, May

1998, 22–24).

Articles of Faith Matching Game

Mount page 5 on heavy paper. Cut out each card. As

you memorize an article of faith, find the corresponding

picture card. Play a matching game by placing the cards

facedown on a flat surface. Take turns turning over two

cards to try to make a match.

Sharing Time Ideas

1. To help the children learn about the blessings of the

Restoration, review some of the events recounted in Joseph

Smith—History. Invite four people to come dressed in simple

costumes and portray Joseph Smith’s friends or family mem-

bers. Have each tell about an event as if Joseph had told them

about it, using the scriptures as appropriate. Divide the chil-

dren into four groups, and using stations (see Teaching, No

Greater Call [1999], 179), have the groups rotate and listen to

each visitor testify about the truths revealed because of an

event: the First Vision (Joseph Smith—History 1:14–17); the need

for the Restoration (Joseph Smith—History 1:18–19); receiving

and translating the Book of Mormon (Joseph Smith—History

1:59–60); the restoration of the priesthood (Joseph Smith—

History 1:68–72). Sing songs or hymns about Joseph Smith, the

First Vision, the Book of Mormon, and the priesthood.

2. To help the children understand the blessing of having

the priesthood of God restored to the earth, have them read

aloud together 1 Peter 2:9. Discuss the blessings and obliga-

tions that come from being “a chosen generation, a royal

priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people.” Place these

wordstrips in a container: BLESSING A BABY, BAPTISM, CON-

FIRMATION, BLESSING THE SACRAMENT, GIVING A HEALING

BLESSING, SETTING SOMEONE APART FOR A CALLING, DEDI-

CATING A BUILDING, THE TEMPLE, MISSIONARIES, A BISHOP,

and THE PROPHET. Have the children choose a wordstrip

and then draw what it says while the rest of the children guess

what blessing from the priesthood is being drawn. Discuss

how the priesthood blesses us in that instance or through that

person. Sing an appropriate song or hymn after you discuss

each wordstrip. ●

18 910111213

2 3 4 5 6 7

THE FRIEN

D FEBRUARY 2003

5

We believe in God, theEternal Father, and in HisSon, Jesus Christ, and inthe Holy Ghost.

We believe that men will be punished for their ownsins, and not for Adam’stransgression.

We believe that through theAtonement of Christ, allmankind may be saved, byobedience to the laws andordinances of the Gospel.

We believe that the firstprinciples and ordinancesof the Gospel are: first,Faith in the Lord JesusChrist; second, Repentance;third, Baptism by immersionfor the remission of sins;fourth, Laying on of handsfor the gift of the HolyGhost.

We believe that a man must be called of God, byprophecy, and by the layingon of hands by those whoare in authority, to preachthe Gospel and administerin the ordinances thereof.

We believe in the sameorganization that existed in the Primitive Church,namely, apostles, prophets,pastors, teachers, evangel-ists, and so forth.

We believe in the gift oftongues, prophecy, revela-tion, visions, healing, inter-pretation of tongues, andso forth.

We believe the Bible to bethe word of God as far as it is translated correctly; wealso believe the Book ofMormon to be the word of God.

We believe all that God hasrevealed, all that He doesnow reveal, and we believethat He will yet reveal manygreat and important thingspertaining to the Kingdomof God.

We believe in the literalgathering of Israel and inthe restoration of the TenTribes; that Zion (the NewJerusalem) will be builtupon the American conti-nent; that Christ will reignpersonally upon the earth;and, that the earth will berenewed and receive itsparadisiacal glory.

We claim the privilege ofworshiping Almighty Godaccording to the dictates ofour own conscience, andallow all men the sameprivilege, let them worshiphow, where, or what theymay.

We believe in being subjectto kings, presidents, rulers,and magistrates, in obey-ing, honoring, and sustain-ing the law.

We believe in being honest,true, chaste, benevolent,virtuous, and in doing goodto all men; indeed, we maysay that we follow theadmonition of Paul—Webelieve all things, we hopeall things, we have enduredmany things, and hope tobe able to endure all things.If there is anything virtuous,lovely, or of good report orpraiseworthy, we seek afterthese things.

ILLUSTRATIONS BY SCOTT GREER

Gift ofHoly Ghost

Baptism

Repentance

Faith

TRIBES

ApostlesProphets Pastors

TeachersEvangelists

6

Pebble ofForgiveness

B Y J A N E M C B R I D E C H O AT E

ILLU

STRA

TIO

NS

BY R

OBE

RT A

. MC

KAY

Based on a true story

Levi didn’t have his mind on Primary that Sunday.

He was still angry with his older brother, Jason.

Jason had just gotten his driver’s license. Last

week, he had run over Levi’s bike, even though Levi

had carefully parked it at the side of the garage. Levi

had saved his own money to buy the bike. It had taken

a long time.

“I’m really sorry. I’ll fix it up just like new,” Jason

promised.

Levi looked at the crumpled fender. “It won’t be the

same.”

Jason apologized again, but Levi refused to listen. “If

you weren’t such a crummy driver, you wouldn’t have

wrecked my bike.”

“I told you I’d fix the bike.” Jason didn’t sound so

sorry now.

Levi stomped off, locking himself in his room for the

rest of the afternoon and coming out only when Mom

insisted he join the family for dinner.

That was last Wednesday. Levi had held onto his

grudge for four days. It bothered him, being angry at

Jason. Still, he didn’t feel like forgiving his brother.

After opening exercises and singing time, Sister

McClure, the second counselor in the Primary presidency,

presented Sharing Time to the older children. Starting

with Levi’s class, she passed around a small paper cup.

“Take one and pass it on,” she said.

Levi reached inside the cup and found it filled with

pebbles.

“Put a pebble into your shoe,” she said.

“Now try walking in place.”

Levi lifted up his foot and brought it

down again. The little stone felt funny

against his foot. He tried to move it to a

more comfortable spot, but it kept rubbing

against his foot.

“Now reverently walk around the room,” Sister

McClure instructed.

Some of the children started giggling but stopped

when Sister McClure reminded them to be rev-

erent. A couple of the younger children

started to limp and bent down to remove

their stones.

Levi kept the pebble in his shoe.

It began to feel a lot bigger as he

walked.

After a few minutes, Sister

McClure told the children to take

their seats and remove the pebbles

from their shoes. Once more, she

passed around the paper cup and asked

the children to put the pebbles inside.

Then she explained, “Those little pebbles are like the

feelings we have when we don’t forgive someone who

has offended us. They can start out small but then feel

bigger and bigger.”

“What if the person who did something to hurt us

isn’t really sorry?” Levi wanted to know.

“Sometimes we need to forgive, even when the

THE FR IEND FEBRUARY 2003 7

8

other person doesn’t apologize or repent,” Sister

McClure responded.

Sister McClure told a story about a time when the

Prophet Joseph Smith forgave one of his friends who

had betrayed him. Levi felt a lump in his throat as he

listened to how the Prophet had forgiven William W.

Phelps, even though Brother Phelps had conspired with

the mobs who persecuted the Church and its leaders.

Levi thought about Sister McClure’s lesson during

the rest of Primary. Following dinner that evening,

when his parents asked family members what they had

learned in church, Levi told them about the pebbles.

“How did your foot feel by the time you took the

pebble out?” his dad asked.

“My foot was a little sore,” Levi admitted. “Sister

McClure compared walking around with a pebble in

your shoe to carrying a grudge and refusing to forgive

someone who offended you.”

“It sounds like one of Mom’s object lessons,” his

little sister, Annie, said.

Everyone laughed. The whole family knew that Mom

liked to use objects in the lessons she gave for family

home evening.

Before he went to bed, Levi knocked on Jason’s

door. “I’m sorry I’ve been such a jerk,” he said when

Jason opened the door. “I know you didn’t mean to run

over my bike.”

“Hey, I’m the one who’s sorry.” Jason pulled Levi into

a bear hug and lifted him off the floor. “What do you

say we work on the bike together tomorrow after

school? I’ll ask Dad if we can use his tools.”

“Great!” Levi said, and as he went to his room, he

thought, “I really do feel great!” ●

“FRIENDS AGAIN AT LAST”

A fter William W. Phelps betrayed the Prophet

Joseph Smith, Brother Phelps asked for Joseph’s

forgiveness. The Prophet wrote him this letter:

“Dear Brother Phelps:—I must say that it is with

no ordinary feelings I endeavor to write a few lines

to you in answer to [your letter]; at the same time I

am rejoiced at the privilege granted me. . . . It is

true, that we have suffered much in consequence

of your behavior. . . . However, the cup has been

drunk, the will of our Father has been done, and

we are yet alive, for which we thank the Lord. . . .

Believing your confession to be real, and your

repentance genuine, I shall be happy once again to

give you the right hand of fellowship. . . . ‘Come on,

dear brother, since the war is past, For friends at

first, are friends again at last.’

“Yours as ever, Joseph Smith, Jun.” (History of theChurch, 4:162–64). ●


Dedicated on 18 January 1972 by PresidentJoseph Fielding Smith

Dedicated on 9 February 1972 by PresidentJoseph Fielding Smith (prayer read by PresidentHarold B. Lee)

Dedicated on 19 November 1974 by PresidentSpencer W. Kimball

Ogden Utah Temple Provo Utah Temple Washington D.C. Temple

Dedicated on 20 April 1958 by President David O. McKay

Dedicated on 7 September 1958 by PresidentDavid O. McKay

Dedicated on 17 November 1964 by PresidentDavid O. McKay

Hamilton New Zealand Temple London England Temple Oakland California Temple

In 2003 each issue of The Friend will contain Temple Cards.

Remove the Temple Cards from the magazine, glue them to

heavy paper, and cut them out. Collect the cards to remind

you of the importance of temples.Temple Cards

Dedicated on 23 September 1945 by PresidentGeorge Albert Smith

Dedicated on 11 September 1955 by PresidentDavid O. McKay

Dedicated on 11 March 1956 by President David O. McKay

Idaho Falls Idaho Temple Bern Switzerland Temple Los Angeles California TemplePHO

TOG

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BY

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BY

STEV

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BY

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BY

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Trying to Be

like Jesus

W

10

Helping MomB Y V I N N Y K E N M U R A M AT S U D E O L I V E I R A

hen I was five, my mother had a problem with

her back and she could not stand up for very

long. One afternoon after lunch she and my

two-year-old sister, Dafne, fell asleep.

I was playing a video game—my favorite thing to do.

When I was playing the best part of the game, I thought

about my mom. She always has to

keep the house clean. Now

her back was hurting her

a lot. I thought I

should help her and

surprise her when

she woke up.

I stopped play-

ing my game. I

went into the kitchen,

stood on a chair, and

started to wash the dishes. There were lots of dishes,

but I thought Mom could sleep some more if I did this

for her.

I was still washing dishes when I felt a hand on my

shoulder. It was Mom, asking what I was doing. I told

her I was helping her back get better, and she started

to cry. Then she said she was very happy because I

wanted to help her. She hugged me and said that Jesus

was happy about what I was doing.

I learned in Primary that we should be like Jesus. I

never understood very well what I should do to be like

Him. But because I helped Mom, I learned that the

Holy Ghost helped me get the idea to help my mother

when she needed it. The Holy Ghost helped me be like

Jesus. ●

Vinny Ken Muramatsu de Oliveira, age 9, is a member of the KariyaWard, Okazaki Japan Stake.

ILLU

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REG

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RKEL

SON


Every year the Jews had a feast called the Feast of the

Passover. It helped them remember how God had saved

the Israelites in Egypt long before, in the time of Moses.

Exodus 12:27; Luke 22:7

THE FIRSTSACRAMENT

NEW TESTAMENT STORIES

ILLU

STRA

TIO

NS

BY P

AUL

MAN

N

Jesus and the Twelve Apostles needed a place to eat the Passover feast. The Savior sent Peter and John to get a room

ready for it.

Luke 22:8

12

Jesus and all the Apostles went there and ate the

Passover feast.

Luke 22:14

They found the room and got the feast ready.

Luke 22:9–13

At the meal, Jesus gave His Apostles the sacrament

for the first time. He took bread in His hands, blessed

it, then broke it into pieces. He told the Apostles to

eat the bread.

Matthew 26:26; Luke 22:19

Jesus told them to think of His body when they ate the

bread, to remember that He would die for them.



Jesus also told the Apostles that wicked people would kill Him. Eleven of the Apostles were very sad. They loved the

Savior and did not want Him to die. Jesus knew that one of the Apostles, Judas Iscariot, would help the wicked people.

Matthew 26:2, 14–16, 21–25

Jesus poured some wine into a cup. He blessed the wine.

He told the Apostles to drink it.

Matthew 26:27

He told them to think of His blood when they drank the

wine, to remember that He would bleed and suffer for

people’s sins.


14

After they finished eating, Jesus talked with His Apostles.

He said that people would know they were His disciples

if they loved one another as He had loved them.

John 13:34

He said if they loved Him, they would keep His commandments. He promised them the Holy Ghost, who would teach

them all they needed to know. He said the Holy Ghost would help them remember the things He had taught them.

John 14:15–18, 26

OTHER TEACHINGS AT THE LAST SUPPER

NEW TESTAMENT STORIES


Jesus said that He was the true vine. His disciples were

like branches growing from the vine. If branches do not

produce good fruit, they will be cut off. If a branch breaks

off from the true vine, it cannot produce any fruit. But if

branches stay firmly attached, they will be nourished.

John 15:1–2

Jesus promised His Apostles that if they lived the gospel,

they would be like branches of the good vine. He would

make them strong. Their fruit, or their works, would be

good. But if they did not follow Him, they would pro-

duce nothing.

John 15:3–8

Finally, Jesus Christ prayed that His Apostles would be

one in doing the work of Heavenly Father. He said that

He was one with the Father because He did what His

Father sent Him to do. He prayed that His disciples

would teach people to believe in Him.

John 17:1–4, 6, 20–23

Then Jesus and the Apostles sang a hymn and left the

room.

Matthew 26:30

16

I’ll Follow Him in Faith

Words and music: Janice Kapp Perry, born 1938© 2001 by Janice Kapp Perry. All rights reserved.This song may be copied for incidental, noncommercial church or home use.

Boldly = 92–104C! 44 :C C C C C C C C CC C C C C C C C C C C C C CBB BB B BB B BB1. The Lord has blessed me with gos - pel truth. I have learned His ways in my ear - ly youth. I will

(2. The) Lord has blessed me to feel His love. I have felt His prompt - ings and learned to trust. So in

# 44 :S C C C S C B BB gC OC B B C CB! CCC CCC C C C C C OC gC C C C C OB C CB B B BB B B C

share my light, for I know it’s right To tes - ti - fy of Him. Theall I do, I’ll be faith - ful to The things I know are true. The

# C C B BBW BB C C C C OB CA! C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C CBB BB BB BB BB

Lord has blessed me with sim - ple faith. If I pray for help, He will give me strength. I willLord has blessed me in man - y ways. With a thank - ful heart I will sing His praise. I will

# C C C S C B B B C C C S C C C B BB B B! 1. : 2.CC C C C C C C C OC gC CC C CC CC OB B C OB B

[ C CB B B B Bdo His work. I will glad - ly serve. I’ll fol - low Him in faith. 2. Theraise my voice and pro - claim my choice To fol - low Him in faith. He has

# :gC OC C C BB BB BB BB C OB C OB! CC CC C C C C C OC gC CC C CC CC OB C

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B B B Bshown the way, and through all my days, I’ll fol - low Him in faith.# C C B B BW B BBX BB C BC CW OB

ILLUSTRATION BY DILLEEN MARSH

Be Not Afraid, by Greg OlsenFROM THE VISIONS OF FAITH COLLECTION BY MILL POND PRESS, INC., VENICE, FLORIDA

“Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed:

for the Lord thy God is with thee” (Joshua 1:9).

M ay there be found in our

thoughts and actions the

manifestation of an inward,

spiritual peace and strength. May we

have an absolute faith that all things

are possible to God and hold in our

remembrance that through our obedience

all things may be made known to us by His

Holy Spirit.” See President James E. Faust,

“Strengthening the Inner Self,” p. 2.

february 2003 liahona - media.ldscdn.org€¦ · icelandic, ilokano, indonesian, italian, japanese,...

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